God thought - Bible #10

Read
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. -Ephesians 1:13

Reflect
Have you ever paid money to get into an amusement park or a fair and had your hand stamped? The stamp on your hand is proof that you satisfied the requirement of entry. It says to anyone who might want to know that you have been accounted for. You're in.

Read Ephesians 1:13. Paul is writing to what could arguable be called his favorite group of believers, the church in Ephesus. There is so much implied in this verse; Paul describes a cool, really dynamic process. Let's unpack it...

First, Paul said that his audience "heard the word of truth." Paul then explained what the word of truth was. He said the word of truth was the "gospel of [their] salvation." We know that Paul was talking about the life-changing story of Jesus. He doesn't stop there. We find a clue about the response of the church. Paul said they heard and they believed! The word of truth took hold in their heart. And what was the result of their belief? They were "marked with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit." Paul is referring to the Holy Spirit who dwells in every believer at the moment they profess faith in Christ. What an amazing amount of truth packed into one small verse.

The word of God is salvation; it is a means by which we are eventually saved from our sins. How? Because God's Word teaches us about the person of Jesus and the work He did on this earth. We hear the Word and believe in Jesus. But there is also great promise in this verse -- the Holy Spirit comes to every believer and acts as God's seal on us. It's as if God looks at us and says, "This one's mine. This one belongs to me."

Respond
1. If you believe in Jesus and have submitted your life to his lordship, Scripture tells us that the Spirit of God now lives inside you. How does that make you feel?

2. What does it mean to you to be "included in Christ"? How is your life different now that you are part of God's family?

3. God has marked you as his. How do you represent Him to the world through your words and actions?

4. Pray that the Holy Spirit, who dwells in you, would give you the power today to live in a way that brings God honor. Ask the Spirit to help you make the right decisions and to make the most of the opportunities you have been given.