In a previous lesson, we considered five points about the promise, oath, and seal of God, and in the lesson that followed, we went into detail on some aspects of those points. Now we follow the same plan again with another five important points concerning the seal of God.
Another Five Important Points
(6) The seal is distinct from miraculous gifts
We have already learned that every Christian is sealed by God. If miraculous gifts (such as speaking in tongues) were the seal of God, then every Christian would have miraculous gifts. We find, however, that while miraculous gifts were given "to one", and "to another", but "not all" have them. (1Co 12:4-11, 28-30). So we conclude that miraculous gifts are not the gift or seal of the Spirit which is promised to all Christians.
Paul does say that God works his diversity of gifts "in all" and that some manifestation of the Spirit is "given to each one"(1Co 12:4-7)."We have all been made to drink of one Spirit" (1Co 12:12-14). This ties in with every repentant and baptized believer receiving the gift or seal of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39 Eph 1:13-14). However, that is not to say that every Christian is given miraculous ability. The class of gifts we consider “miraculous” is only a small part of the variety of spiritual gifts that enable ministry.
(7) The seal is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit
While we have been careful to distinguish between things which differ, we must also be careful not to separate things which are the same. The seal, indwelling, gift, renewing, and outpouring of the Spirit are all one and the same. This point needs more attention, so after we have finished all the five points, we will look at this one in detail in our next lesson.
(8) The seal cannot be hindered or delayed.
The seal of God is an immediate blessing, not a “second blessing” for which the new convert must wait. By the seal, the new convert is identified as God’s own heir. If one has to wait for this, then one has to wait to belong to God (2Tm 2:19 Rom 8:9). If one has to wait for the Holy Spirit, then one has to wait for forgiveness (Acts 2:38-39, Acts 5:31-32).
(9) The seal cannot be broken
No power in the universe, not even the mighty hand of Satan, can break the seal of God. When Jesus gives eternal life, no one can take it away. No temptation is able to overpower God’s own. They are secure in the hand of Jesus Christ (Rom 8:35-39 Jhn 10:14, 27-29, 1Co 10:12-13).
The above point --the hight pointof this lesson-- has been greatly misunderstood. Therefore we must lay another equally valid truth along side of it (point 10 below). So important is this corollary, that we are going to spend as much time on it as we have on all the previous nine points together. We merely introduce it here, in this lesson. A later lesson will be entirely devoted to it.
(10) The seal of God is conditional
The security of the seal of God ensures that we cannot be forced to part from Christ (Rom 8:35-39). However that security, God does not forces us to remain in Christ.
The truth is that you are saved "if you continue in the faith"(Col 1:23) and there is a promise, oath, and seal of God, which guarantees you can do that if you want to.
The only time the scripture links the term "impossible" with the term "fall away" is in Hebrews 6:6. This is about those who have been made "partakers of the Holy Spirit". Now note what it does not say. It does not say, "It is impossible for them to fall away." What then does it say? It says, "If they fall away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance..." This shows that not only is it possible for the saved to fall away from grace, but also that they can fall so completely that it is impossible to restore them to a state of grace again. But having said that, we must also recall that no one but we ourselves can break the seal, not even Satan. No one can force us to fall away —this God guarantees.
Paul does say that God works his diversity of gifts "in all" and that some manifestation of the Spirit is "given to each one"