Sealed - Part 3Sample

DAY 5: The Seal of Righteousness

No one is righteous. All humans are under sin. No one understands or seeks God on their own. All have turned away. All have become worthless. Our natural being speaks deceit, attracts curses, and cultivates bitterness. By our own works, no one can be justified. We are utterly incapable of living the glorious life God desires for us by our own merit.

Before God the Judge, at the hour of our death, no human being will escape judgment, even if they present all their best works.

There is absolutely no distinction. All have sinned.

"For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that He may have mercy on them all." – Romans 11:32

Out of pure generosity and pure love, God Himself justified us before Him – a free gift. God made things right by sacrificing Jesus, who became sin for us.

The righteousness of God was manifested through faith in Christ Jesus for all who believe.

Total forgiveness for all sins, forever and unconditionally, is provided by Christ. The most incredible and wonderful truth is that God made Jesus a sinner in our place—He who knew no sin—so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God. God treated Jesus as if He had committed every sin ever committed by every believer in all generations, even though He committed none of them.

Before the coming of Jesus, God’s covenant people with Abraham had an external physical seal called circumcision. It was designed to confirm God’s promises to Abraham and his descendants and to mark the obligation of belonging to the Lord.

When we believe in the Word of Truth, which is Jesus, the seal of the Holy Spirit is placed upon us as a “circumcision” for our sanctification, making us new creatures. It is the inner evidence of the righteousness of faith. Our shame is replaced by God’s righteousness.

Satan cannot stand the fact that fallen human beings can be forgiven and that they will reign forever with the Heir of the Throne, Jesus. The devil’s fury, as the accuser, comes from his bitterness against God for not receiving the same privilege as we do.

There is nothing in this world more valuable than the forgiveness of God. It is the greatest gift and status a human being can have. This seal of righteousness must be non-negotiable.

"Knowing that God knows everything about me and still loves me is truly my greatest comfort." – R.C. Sproul.

My Prayer:

Father, I know that there is nothing I can do to deserve Your love and the forgiveness of my sins. I am hidden in Christ, in the outpouring of Jesus’ Blood, which is my righteousness. Forgive me for the many times I have acted as if my works justify me before You. My actions are in gratitude for what You have done for me, and I am thankful for all eternity. Nothing can separate me from Your love.

Holy Spirit, give me strength so that I may never deny my Lord or trade my loyalty to God for a piece of bread or any illusion of this world. Help me guard this seal of righteousness that You have placed upon me until the day I can see You face to face.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.