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And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God\u2019s possession\u2014to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Let us return to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the divine Trinity. In theology classes, we usually distinguished between the character and the work of the Spirt. In these devotions, I am not interested in such matters. Rather, I am attempting to explore with you, what the scriptures reveal about the Spirit. I hope that over the past month you have noticed several things. The Spirit is present from the very beginning, at creation, deeply involved in God\u2019s creative work. Also, that the Spirit is powerful, He is no minor member of the Trinity. Finally, it seems to me that the Spirit is deeply involved with the Christian. We cannot be Christians without the wonderful work of the Spirit.

My main point has been and continues to be: the Holy Spirit, creative and powerful, involved in God\u2019s work from the very beginning is now at work in you and me and all who believe in Jesus. That is the part of the good news of the gospel.

In my last devotion on the Holy Spirit, I began some reflections on the Spirit as the seal of redemption. Let\u2019s continue with this particular work of the Spirit exploring some implications for the believer. As mentioned recently, being sealed by the Spirit removes fear, we do not have to fret that we can lose our salvation, our status as citizens of God\u2019s kingdom or our identity as a child of God. Let us dig a little deeper.

The Holy Spirit as seal of redemption is a sign of protection. Let me tell a story. It is said that Alexander the Great once sent an emissary bearing his seal to Egypt. The man travelled without weapons or military escort. His only protection was the seal of the great conqueror. When he met the ruler of Egypt, the mighty king stood in his royal splendour with the army of Egypt behind him. The emissary ordered the king, "Cease hostilities against Alexander\u2019s interest."

Hoping to save face, the king said he would consider this and let him know. Alexander\u2019s man drew a circle in the dirt around the King\u2019s feet and said, "Do not leave this circle without informing me of your response." The king had an entire army at his back. The emissary was alone and unarmed. Yet, the Egyptian could not touch him because he bore the seal of Alexander. To touch him was to touch Alexander. To anger him was to anger Alexander. Realizing this, he said, "Tell Alexander he has his request."

If you have time, reread that story, listen to it again. God has the same relationship with us. We carry God\u2019s seal. If somebody does something to one of his, it effects God. God will not stand by as if it does not matter. This does not mean that we will never be harmed by unbelievers. But it does mean that anyone who does harm a Christian will be held accountable. This is one of the aspects of the final judgement that we read about rather often in the Bible. Justice will be had.

Connected to this is another element of being sealed with the Spirit, namely that God is committed to us. Later in this letter, Paul will write that we are "sealed for the day of redemption" (4:30). This \u2018day of redemption\u2019 is a term used to describe the day of Christ\u2019s return. That is the day that His work of redemption will be completed. Through his death and resurrection and the outpouring of His Holy Spirit, Jesus saved us from our sin. The Spirit works out the fruit of that redemption in us, leading us away from sinful behaviours towards a character, an attitude and a way of life that is in harmony with the ways of God\u2019s Kingdom. That work will be completed on the \u2018day of redemption\u2019.

The Spirit as seal of redemption gives us a sense of security. He is God\u2019s pledge that God himself will finish the work of redemption in us. He will not leave or forsake us! Are you struggling to live the Christian life? Of course, you are, we all are. The Spirit as seal, reminds us all that God is more deeply invested in our progress then we ourselves are. That\u2019s good news. More about that next time.