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 List

              Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,   through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;   perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)           Think about it. We have been justified. At least, we could be justified if we stopped insisting that our justification be based on our merits. We have peace with God, or could have peace if we stopped throwing temper tantrums. We have gained access into grace i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Listen!

  While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5)            Do you like roller coasters? I don't. You spend forever climbing a hill. You get to the top and have half a second, then you race down to a low point. Sometimes the racing down involves tying your insides into knots. At the bottom, you either have to be dragged up another hill or you get off the ride. Peter's life was a roller coaster from the time he met Jesus. There would be miracles, and then Jesus would teach things that didn't always make sense, and then they'd go out and perform miracles, and return to be taught. Peter was praised for giving the right answer to "Who do you say that I am?" Jesus said that said answer came from God. Peter was at the top of the hill.            ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Prayer Lists

                 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (I Peter 2:2-3)   In connection with what I wrote yesterday about the possibility that I’m wrong, I’m feeling the need to go back to basics - craving spiritual milk because somehow, I missed something. It’s a little embarrassing, craving milk like a newborn, but the truth probably is that we are newborns many times in many ways in our lives. From God’s perspective, we may never be anything more than newborns, forever needing that milk. On the other hand, being a newborn can also be exciting because so much is new. My mind is playing pinball - ricocheting from one idea to the next and through six more before it happens to hit the third again. The main topic is prayer. I have at least seven organizing structures all somewhat influenced by the movie War Room , which I’v...
Post a Comment
Read more