Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
I was once a woman who would have been told “I never knew you: depart from me” by the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, I was a very good “religious” person! I was raised in the Roman Catholic religion and followed its teachings until I turned 25. My heart was empty inside and I found no hope in my life’s circumstances. So much so, I was planning the end of my empty life. I had the sleeping pills, my mind was made up, and that was that.
But God ….
God was busy working in the background, drawing me to Him, without me even knowing it. He was orchestrating events and placing the right people in my life at precisely the right moments, guiding my heart and opening my eyes to the truth. Each small miracle and subtle sign was a chance for me to reflect on my path and reconsider my choices. He was giving me every opportunity to come to salvation before that fateful end, patiently waiting for me to recognize the love and grace He so freely offered, hoping I would turn my heart towards Him and embrace the journey of faith that awaited. I did not know it at the time, but praise the Lord He knew me and exactly what I needed.
He sent my childhood best friend, Vicky, from a thousand miles away. She didn’t know my circumstances but her desire was to see me born again. God heard her fervent prayers and during her short visit, her mission was accomplished! On April 1, 1980, I was gloriously saved and sealed by Christ’s Holy Spirit! Yes, I was sealed … blood bought by the King of kings and Lord of lords! I became a child of the King!
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; (22) Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Ephesians 1:12-13 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (13) 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,
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Revelation 7:3-4 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. (4) And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Sealed: sphragizō
sfrag-id’-zo
From G4973; to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication to keep secret, to attest: – (set a, set to) seal up, stop.
Exactly what does it mean to be sealed by the Holy Spirit? One must understand that in early times, a contract was sealed with a ring or stamp, a practice that holds significant importance in our understanding of how God views Christ’s redemption. This seal showed that the contract was not only final and binding but also carried the weight of authority and trust between the parties involved. It symbolized an unbreakable agreement, a pledge that was taken seriously, invoking commitment, if you will. In a similar way, being sealed by the Holy Spirit serves as a powerful affirmation of one’s faith in God, indicating that they are uniquely “marked” for eternal life with Him, eternally set apart from the world. This divine seal reassures believers that their relationship with God is secure and irrevocable, instilling hope and strength in their hearts. It signifies a deep, personal connection with the Creator, reminding them that they are cherished and loved. Additionally, this seal also serves as a reminder that nothing could break that contract… NOTHING! This assurance empowers believers to walk confidently in their faith, knowing that they are protected and guided by the Holy Spirit in every aspect of their lives.
One never knows when one’s final day on this earth will be, which is why it is important to think of the significance of the choices we make. People prepare for it by buying life insurance or making all the necessary arrangements for their funeral, making sure that their earthly affairs are settled. But what preparations are being made for their eternal destination, the one that really matters? Do not be like me prior to my salvation when I was a “good Catholic,” merely going through the motions of religious observance without understanding what salvation really means. You do not want to hear those words: “I never knew you, depart from me!” Imagine standing before the Creator, thinking you’ve done all that your religion required of you, then being filled with regret and realizing that all the good deeds performed pale in comparison to a genuine relationship with Him. At that point, there are no more solutions, no last-minute bargains, or desperate prayers that can save you. There are no more chances to change your mind and start over; nor to turn back and seek forgiveness. There will be no more opportunities to be saved, to embrace the grace that is offered to those who truly seek it. You can’t turn back; the time to act is now, for once that final moment arrives, the decision is irrevocably made, and the consequences of our choices become eternally clear.
Somewhere in the corner of man’s heart, there’s an emptiness, just as there was in mine back in 1980. Are you at that point? If you are, let me share the Scriptures that were shared with me. Have an open heart, devoid of life’s noisy traffic, and read them with anticipation. Follow this link and take time to read and absorb what God wishes to communicate with you!
