Ephesians 1:13 In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed… Call it sealing, or what you will, it is a fact that believers in Christ, of every age, have enjoyed an inward, filial assurance, of which we certainly hear nothing from the mere students of nature. It is well known, moreover, that the more sharply the believer's confidence has been tried, the more steadfast and triumphant it has become. How is it to be accounted for, that nature does not seal her disciples in the same way? They do not possess the restful certitude, and the joyous hope, of believers. Why do they not? Let others answer this question as they may, we answer, The Holy Spirit will not testify that nature has "The Word of Truth," namely, "The Gospel of our Salvation"; nor will He assure the disciples of nature that they are the children and heirs of God. "The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy." "When He, the Spirit of Truth is come.... He shall glorify Me." "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God — every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God...Hereby know we the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error." "We are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." Believers, then, are "sealed with the Holy Spirit," for no other reason, than that they are "in the Truth." Temporal nature is a division, — only a part of that which is perfect. Christ is unity. The men who believe in the results of scientific observation, rather than in "the Gospel of our Salvation," will discover some day that they, and "the Truth," are on opposite sides. They are the disciples of nature's facts, but at variance with truth in its eternal form. Moreover, as the only enduring and all-controlling Power must be God's truth, they will, sooner or later, find it to be a very unhappy thing, to stand opposed to the supreme governing Power of the universe and eternity. (John Pulsford.) Parallel Verses KJV: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, |
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