Signed, Sealed and Delivered
Years ago, dad took me car shopping. It was an exciting time, a day I vividly remember, and maybe this is where my love for shopping for cars was born. Many chide my giddiness found in talking with car salesmen, in kicking tires and checking under the hood, but truly, every day is a good day for car shopping. Maybe one day I will open my own car lot and reside there in my happiness day-after-day. The day shopping for my first car was a happy time. Dad drove us from one car lot to another, and as we walked around looking, as a child of seventeen, I found many that would serve me well. I found sporty-looking cars, fast-looking cars, and fancy-looking cars; however, dad was not looking for any of those types. I settled finally on a bright red, two-door car with a hatchback, but dad settled on a four-door, sturdy, tank-like car. I bet you can imagine which car was purchased that day. You guessed right; I became the proud owner of a burnt-orange, four-door, Ford Maverick. Yet here’s the thing. When it was time to ‘seal’ the deal with our handshake, we also ‘signed’ the required documents, as dad co-signed for me since I had no credit to my name. Once we made a trip to the bank for a few more signatures, dad handed me my ‘coupon’ book (as it was called back in the day) with instructions how to monthly pay for my newly-chosen vehicle. As you might expect, I worked hard to save the funds to pay for my new Maverick, and as you might imagine, my seventeen-year-old body needed that sturdy, four-door car as time progressed. What is it they say: Dads know everything!
- Our Father in heaven knows what we need. That’s why He sent us a Savior.
- The LORD knew we needed salvation. That’s why He sent Jesus, His Only Son.
- The Creator of the world knew we needed redemption. That’s why He sent Christ Jesus to die for us.
OUR HEAVENLY FATHER KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED!
“Of this church I was made a minister
(The Letter of Paul to the Colossians 1: 25-27 NASB)
according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit,
so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,
that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations,
but has now been manifested to His saints,
to whom God willed to make know what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles,
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Have we really dug deep in our beings to consider “the hope of glory, which is Christ in you,” to really see what we have received?
IN Christ, we received through our faith—
- Eternal Life.
- Daily Bread, the nourishment found in God’s Holy Word.
- Eternal Glory.
At salvation, we become IN Christ—
- We are positioned IN Christ.
- We become a new creation IN Christ.
- We receive eternal life THROUGH Christ.
- We are given His righteousness IN Christ.
- We become citizens of heaven IN Christ. &
- We are now joint heirs with Christ BECAUSE we are IN Christ.
Not only does the Holy Spirit of God take up residence within our being, but we also receive the resurrection life of Jesus Christ. This promise is given to every person who has been saved IN Christ.
As we trust IN Christ, God gives us the Spirit as a pledge, as a guarantee, meaning we are ‘sealed’ through a down-payment, a deposit, given by God, securing us for what is to come.
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Our names have been ‘signed’ in the Lamb’s Book of Life. &
We have been ‘sealed’ by the placement of God’s Holy Spirit alive in us.
One day soon, Christ Jesus Himself will come for each redeemed one and ‘deliver’ him to heaven, where he will be with God forevermore.
We who believe IN CHRIST have so much to be grateful for on this day.
- Christ IN you,
- Christ IN me,
- Christ IN us—the body of Christ.
May we choose this day to be L—E—D by GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT—
L—Live a life worthy of this position IN Christ we have received.
E—Each day, decide Whom we will follow.
D—Daily, lay down our cross and follow—JESUS—the One who died for us.