Skip to main content

Sealed

Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” (II Timothy 2:19) 

            In college, I had a friend who introduced me to several things that touched my romantic heart: letter openers, sealing wax and calligraphy pens. The only one I don’t use now is the sealing wax, because I don’t write physical letters and somehow, sealing a utility bill envelope doesn’t seem quite right. There was a time when each of these gestures were popular. Before that, the sealing of documents wasn’t a flourish, it was a batter of good business. Anyone could sign a name, and I suspect there were times when any of several officials might sign a document with the name of their employers. A seal, however, was the sign that the contents were official.
            The seal on God’s teaching to man has two inscriptions. One is God’s part. He knows those who are His. The other is man’s part: turning away from wickedness. Both are required. There are those who try to accomplish the turning from evil, thinking that it is sufficient to cause God to know them. Others claim that God knows them, but they don’t turn from evil. Both these are false teachers. 
            There are people who claim to be Christians, who can quote Scripture at length (especially the verses about not judging) but who live in ways contrary to the teaching of Scripture. They want you to believe that they are just as spiritual as the next person. We may not be able to tell whether or not that person is sealed with the first inscription, but the second, if we take the time to look.
            We don’t like this sort of inspection, but it is necessary. If we don’t examine our own lives and don’t make progress, we have reason to be concerned. Equally, if the life of the person speaking to us doesn’t show any signs of turning away from evil, that person is not someone we should follow. Their salvation is a matter between them and God, but their lives become our business if we are going to follow their guidance.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Right Road

          Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139:7-12)                  For years before GPSes existed, I told people I wanted something in my car that would tell me, “Turn left in half a mile…turn left in a quarter mile…turn left in 500 feet… turn left in 100 feet…turn left now …You missed the turn, Dummy!” The problem isn’t necessarily that I get lost so much as I’m afraid I’ll get lost. I don’t want to have to spend my whole trip stressing over the next turn. I have the same problem with my spiritual journey.   
Post a Comment
Read more

Died as a Ransom

                 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. (Hebrews 9:15)                  This is something I’d really rather not think about but here it is and it’s important. I was reading in Bold Love about seeking revenge.  The author wrote of seeking justice when a supposed Christian does something sinful, harmful, and/or horrific, like sexually abusing a daughter.  And the thought that came to mind was of God asking if Jesus’ death was sufficient payment to me for the sin committed against me.                I have no specific longing for revenge, vengeance, or justice. I’m sure there are some lurking somewhere in my heart, but this wasn’t a response to one. It was more a question of principle. Jesus’ death was sufficient payment for to God for our sins.  That’s the standard Sunday Schoo
1 comment
Read more

Out of the Depths

  Out of the depths I have cried to You, Lord. Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the sound of my pleadings.   If You, Lord, were to keep account of guilty deeds, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, so that You may be revered. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and I wait for His word. My soul waits in hope for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning; Yes, more than the watchmen for the morning. Israel, wait for the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his guilty deeds . (Psalm 130)             I like Mr. Peterson’s interpretation of the first line. “The bottom has fallen out of my life!” Of course, the problem for some of us is the fact that we’re drama queens, and/or we’re weak. Any time anything happens that disturbs our sense of mastery and control, the bottom has fallen out of our lives. If the past couple of days have taught me anything, they’ve t
1 comment
Read more