Chapter CONTEXT From MHCC: A salutation, and an account of saving blessings, as prepared in God’s eternal election, as purchased by Christ’s blood. (1-8) And as conveyed in effectual calling: this is applied to the believing Jews, and to the believing Gentiles. (9-14) The apostle thanks God for their faith and love, and prays for the continuance of their knowledge and hope, with respect to the heavenly inheritance, and to God’s powerful working in them. (15-23)
Main Text CONTEXT From MHCC: Commentary on Ephesians 1:9-14, Blessings were made known to believers, by the Lord’s showing to them the mystery of his sovereign will, and the method of redemption and salvation. But these must have been forever hidden from us, if God had not made them known by his written word, preached gospel, and Spirit of truth. Christ united the two differing parties, God and man, in his own person, and satisfied for that wrong which caused the separation. He wrought, by his Spirit, those graces of faith and love, whereby we are made one with God, and among ourselves. He dispenses all his blessings, according to his good pleasure. His Divine teaching led whom he pleased to see the glory of those truths, which others were left to blaspheme. What a gracious promise that is, which secures the gift of the Holy Ghost to those who ask him! The sanctifying and comforting influences of the Holy Spirit seal believers as the children of God, and heirs of heaven. These are the first-fruits of holy happiness. For this we were made, and for this we were redeemed; this is the great design of God in all that he has done for us; let all be ascribed unto the praise of his glory.
In past years I have posted about The Roles of the Holy Spirt, What does the Holy Spirt Do? and even a 14 Part series on the work and roles of the Holy Spirt. There were many more of course including one post that included a list entitled; 70 Functions of the Holy Spirit. In those posts, we determined:
- The Holy Spirit is the helper/comforter promised by Christ Jesus (John 14:16)
- The Holy Spirit indwells every true believer (John 14:7)
- The Holy Spirit is part of the Triune God (1 John 1:7)
- the Primary Role of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the person and work of Jesus Christ; “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”–John 16:14, John 15:26.
We can add a #5 to that list of important things (jobs/roles) of the Holy Spirit from our main text today. All “True Believers” are Sealed By The Holy Spirit. Note that Paul is explicit in who these true believers are. They are those that is those who God has chosen (v.4), predestined (v.5), have been redeemed in the Blood of Christ (v.7), made known the mystery of His Will (v.9), and given the kingdom inheritance (v.10).
Further, they are not sealed with any ordinary seal, that mankind can break or penetrate. No Paul describes it as (AMP) The Spirit is the [e]guarantee [the first installment, the pledge, a foretaste] of our inheritance…
Thank God for the Sending of the Holy Spirit
For the sending of the Holy Spirit to supply the want of Christ’s bodily presence, to carry on his undertaking, and to prepare things for his second coming.
I bless you that when the Lord Jesus went away, he sent his people another Helper to be with them forever, even the Spirit of truth, John 14:16-17(ESV) who shall glorify the Son, for he will take what is his and declare it to them. John 16:14(ESV)
That being exalted at the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:33(ESV) he poured it forth as rivers of living water. John 7:38(ESV)
Blessed be God for the signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, with which God bore witness to the great salvation. Hebrews 2:3-4(ESV)
And blessed be God for the promise that as earthly parents, though evil, know how to give good gifts to their children, so my heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him, Luke 11:13(ESV) that promised Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of my inheritance until I acquire the possession of it. Ephesians 1:13-14(ESV)
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