Signed, Sealed, Delivered Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Signed, Sealed, Delivered Keywords: “guarantee” “power” “sealed” “secure" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passage: Ephesians 1:13-14* 13. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation — having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14. who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. Questions 1. What did God do in response to your trusting in Christ?   2. How do you know that God will come through with what He has promised you?   Practical help In most places around the world, when people are serious about entering into some kind of purchase contracts, they give down payments to secure the transactions. God has done the same thing in relation to us. The Holy Spirit is given to us as His seal that we belong to Him — His deposit guaranteeing that He will do what He has promised. He is serious about the deal. The Holy Spirit is like a down payment or validating signature on the contract. The Spirit’s presence in us proves that we are God’s children, and secures the transaction of eternal life for us. In power, the Spirit of God works in us to transform us now. What we experience now is a taste of the total change we will experience in eternity. So what does all this mean for us today? 1. The Spirit of God actually lives in us. We can live in a hopeful way, secure in the truth that God will really give us the inheritance of eternal life as promised to those who trust in Jesus. 2. We can face and resist the temptation to use porn knowing that all the power and spiritual resources that we could ever need are actually indwelling us in the person of the Holy Spirit. Help is very near! Remember the truth — you have been sealed with the Holy Spirit. Maybe you need to start seeing yourself that way. Just imagine how it could change your life! Okay, my sealed and secure friend, today you are struggling with porn. I encourage you to get a grip on reality. When you are tempted today, don’t give in. Remember the presence and power of God’s Spirit indwelling you. Turn to Him right now and joyfully stand firm in His strength and abundant grace. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 2001, 2003 by eXXit *Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.