In Christ: Anointed, Sealed, and Guaranteed
In the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian church, we learn that in Christ we are anointed. Paul also states that being in Christ means we receive a seal of ownership upon us and that a guarantee is placed in our hearts.
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.…”– 2Corinthians 1:21-22
These three aspects referred to by Paul – anointing, sealed, and guaranteed – are the Holy Spirit’s work within us. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior God begins a good work in us (Heb 13:21). He initiates a transformation in all who believe.
The only other place where the New Testament speaks about anointing is in 1 John 2:20 and 2:27. Every use speaks of an anointing that is common to all believers, not a special anointing for just a few Christians. The idea behind anointed is that we are prepared and empowered for service. Through this anointing, we share something with the Old Testament prophets, priests, and kings who were also anointed ones.
In the ancient world, a seal was used to identify and protect documents and property. If something was sealed, everyone knew who it belonged to (the seal had an insignia), and the seal prevented anyone else from tampering with the item. The Holy Spirit is upon us to identify us and to protect us as belonging in Christ.
The word guarantee in this scripture passage is the word for a down payment. We have been given the Holy Spirit as a down payment for the fullness of what God will do. The Holy Spirit is a pledge of greater things to come. He will continue to work in our lives until we are finally united with Him in heaven.
Thank God today that in Christ we share in this anointing of the Holy Spirit. Thank Him that you are sealed by this same Holy Spirit and that His guarantee is written upon your heart!
