There appears to be significant confusion regarding the sealing of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. Much of what is practiced in various churches today is rooted in human tradition and esoteric knowledge, which claim to convey a deeper spiritual understanding. Unfortunately, these teachings often stem from misguided interpretations by certain teachers, ministers, pastors, and congregants who claim that the Holy Spirit manifests in mystical experiences. They assert that unless individuals can recognize or experience this sealing in specific, prescribed ways, based on these obscure principles, their faith is inadequate. This flawed perspective has misled many individuals over the years, creating a divide between those who deem themselves as spiritually enlightened versus those who embrace the logos of scripture (God-breathed or inspired; 2 Tim. 3:16) as lacking. Therefore, it is essential to have a biblical understanding of the Holy Spirit’s role, emphasizing that faith is fundamentally a personal relationship with God rather than a ritualistic or exclusivist experience dictated by human standards. This is the only way one can truly experience the sanctification process rightly.

In this 9-part devotional series, I will describe the practical implications of being sealed with the Holy Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23. I will explore how these characteristics resonate with true believers in Christ. First, we must understand who the Holy Spirit is. Philippians 1:19 reveals that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus Christ in action. As we undergo the sanctification process, the Holy Spirit reveals, structures, and supports us in practical and steadfast ways. We become believers who are imbued with these attributes. This is a true indication of a person sealed by the Holy Spirit, demonstrated by the attributes that define Him.

Living as sealed believers involves a profound transformation in both identity and behavior. Acknowledging that the Holy Spirit marks them, believers are called to embody their new status as children of God in every aspect of their lives. This transformation manifests in a commitment to pursuing holiness—an active effort to live in accordance with God's will and moral standards. 

Moreover, believers are encouraged to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These traits serve not only as indicators of their spiritual maturity but also as a means of positively influencing those around them, and evidence that the sealing of the Holy Spirit is practical and profound. Engaging in acts of love and service becomes a natural outflow of this transformed identity, enabling believers to reflect Christ’s love in their communities through both charitable deeds and genuine relationships.

The seal of the Holy Spirit also offers profound comfort and assurance during times of doubt or trial. Believers can find solace in the steadfast knowledge that their salvation is secure—not because of any personal merit or altruistic good works, but solely due to God's unchanging promise and the transformative work of the Spirit within them. This assurance fosters a deep sense of peace. It allows believers to navigate life's challenges with confidence, knowing they are protected and guided by a divine presence within them, committed to their growth and well-being.

Next week, I will be delving into this 9-part series, starting with the first attribute: love. This attribute of the Holy Spirit is widely misunderstood today. However, for true believers, it carries a specific meaning that, when applied correctly, deepens their love for God and others. In the coming weeks, I will continue to describe the characteristics that reflect the truth of the Holy Spirit within a believer. For now, let me provide an introductory context for our study.

The Framework

Fundamentally, or as it is more commonly referred to, positionally, true believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13-14 (LSB) states, “In Him, you also, after listening to the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” Therefore, it is essential to focus on a pivotal aspect of spiritual understanding—namely, the sealing of the Holy Spirit. This confirming is an event that occurs after an individual experiences regeneration, sometimes referred to as ‘positional faith.’ Regeneration marks the transformation of a person’s spiritual state, bringing them into new life through faith in Christ. The process begins when a person hears the truth of the gospel—this reception of the message is often called the study of the ‘logos,’ or the written word of God. Upon embracing faith in Christ, the believer is sealed by the Holy Spirit, signifying God’s ownership and the guarantee of their salvation. After this initial transformation, the believer is called to participate actively in the practical aspects of lived-out faith. This involves applying spiritual truths in daily life, which is referred to as engaging in the ‘rhema’ of the word of God, or the personally revealed and applied aspects of Scripture. So, in this context, what does it truly mean to be a believer? A believer is defined not merely by an intellectual acknowledgment of Jesus’ existence, but by a sincere and ongoing commitment to living out that faith through actions, attitudes, and choices that reflect the teachings and character of Christ. This involves continual spiritual growth and obedience, with a reliance on the guidance of the Holy Spirit in every area of life.

In John 3:36 (LSB), we are warned, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” This verse emphasizes the deep, inseparable link between belief and obedience in the Christian faith. According to Strong’s Concordance (KJV), the original Greek term translated as “belief” can also be understood to mean “obedience,” signifying that authentic faith naturally results in action. This interpretation clarifies that to believe in Christ truly is not simply to accept facts about Him, but to take His truth and yield to His authority personally. Such a belief propels a person to align their life with the teachings and example of Jesus, allowing the truth of Christ to bring about a profound, lasting transformation. In this context, genuine belief manifests as lived obedience, which culminates in a unity with Christ marked by the sealing presence of the Holy Spirit. This seal affirms the believer’s identity and relationship with God, highlighting how belief, obedience, and the work of the Spirit are integrally connected in the process of spiritual transformation. The concept particularly pertains to those within the church community. It raises crucial questions about the nature of belief among self-identified Christians. Suppose a person claims to have received the Holy Spirit yet leads a life that is not in alignment with the gospel message, particularly regarding the attributes of the Holy Spirit. In that case, we must consider how Scripture categorizes such individuals. Such persons treat the prescriptive practices of traditional biblical norms—rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles—as outdated in some respects, and therefore create meaning based on human standards, leading to a merely contemporary replacement premise that supplants 1st-century standards. If left unchecked, these values can become the new accepted norm. This shift often stems from an intellectual acknowledgment of Jesus Christ's existence without genuine zeal for understanding the Logos of the Way, which is typically esoteric and demands minimal study, accountability, conviction, or the inspiration required for a true Rhema walk in Christ. In contrast, a lived faith serves as tangible evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in a believer’s life. 

Regardless of where one finds themselves on their spiritual path, the fruits of the Holy Spirit—such as love, joy, peace, and patience—should be evident, shaped in depth and expression by an individual’s level of spiritual maturity. A genuine sealing of the Holy Spirit requires that these fruits be actively displayed in a believer’s life, rather than being suppressed or replaced by teachings or behaviors that stray from the core gospel message, as cautioned against in Galatians 1:6-12. Throughout this series, I will highlight how each attribute outlined in Galatians 5:22-23 reveals the dynamic and transformative power of the Holy Spirit, guiding us to “walk in step” with Him in our daily decisions and relationships. Ultimately, a believer’s life should serve as a living testament to their faith, consistently demonstrating the ongoing impact of the Holy Spirit as they choose to obey God’s Word. In the next session, we will begin this exploration by delving into the foundational attribute of Love, examining its depth, challenges, and essential role in the Christian walk.

Grace and Peace to you and yours. 

Pastor Anthony