The sealing of the Christian with the holy Spirit is explained earlier in Ephesians 1:13-14, “and believing in Whom (Christ) you were sealed with the promise by the Holy Spirit, which is the pledge of our inheritance…” (Ferrar Fenton translation) Begettal with the holy Spirit is the pledge or assurance that if we are faithful we will receive a spirit birth. God’s part is sure. However, God never violates our free will. It is our responsibility to “keep ourselves in the love of God”. (Jude 1:21) “Do not quench (or extinguish) the Spirit”, 1 Thessalonians 5:19. 2 Timothy 2:12 states “if we endure (bear our trials) we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us”.
Jesus illustrated our relationship with Him in John 15:1-2. “I am the true vine and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.” Being a part of that vine means we are members of Christ’s body and begotten of his Spirit. However, we must develop the fruit of the spirit. If we do not, we will be cut-off from the vine. If we do bear fruit, he gives us experiences to help us develop more fruitage.
The apostle Paul recognized that even he could lose the promise of his salvation. 1 Corinthians 9:27, “but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
We strive to keep our natural fleshly desires in subjection to the new mind. In Galatians 6:7-9 Paul says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Thus, the Christian must grow and mature and be tested.
Let us be found faithful in order to receive a spiritual reward. “Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10
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