Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Paul's assurance to the Corinthians is that God himself establishes believers together in Christ, anoints them, seals them, and gives the earnest of the Spirit in their hearts. To seal means God makes believers firm in Christ, sets them apart for himself, and marks them as his own, putting the Spirit in their hearts as a pledge. The anointing is the daily grace and power of Christ, the same Holy Spirit and power with which Jesus was anointed without measure and imparted in its fulness to all who come to him with full purpose of heart, so that the church on earth receives of his fulness.
That anointing teaches all truth and causes believers to abide in Christ, producing love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. The earnest of the Holy Spirit is given in conversion when the heart is softened by the grace of God. The earnest is given in answer to humbling prayer after confession of sin and settling of unhappy differences in seeking nearness to God and unity of the church.
This work gives comfort in every trouble and consolation that abounds in Christ, and every believer may share in it. The earnest brings sure knowledge that sins are forgiven, fills the soul with sweet peace and inexpressible joy, transforms even the gambler and drinker and tobacco user into a new man, and shines outwardly on the face in holy light. Having the earnest brings comfort that the Lord will help in every emergency, because his people are laborers together with God. This sealing and filling with the Spirit is the preparation needed to be ready to meet the Lord when he appears with power and great glory.
Because God alone does this work of impressing the mind and purifying the heart, no human worker is supreme or infallible and none is to exalt himself or rule over the faith and consciences of others, but each is to serve as a humble steward without ruling, guiding with kindness and Christlike character, imparting what he has received and speaking the truth in love in a clear decided manner to enlighten others and promote their joy. Fathers and mothers must watch and pray lest they enter into temptation, give heart and mind and soul to God's service, put away severity, and kneel before the Lord to be converted so they may have this earnest.
Paul's assurance to the Corinthians is that God himself establishes believers together in Christ, anoints them, seals them, and gives the earnest of the Spirit in their hearts. To seal means God makes believers firm in Christ, sets them apart for himself, and marks them as his own, putting the Spirit in their hearts as a pledge. The anointing is the daily grace and power of Christ, the same Holy Spirit and power with which Jesus was anointed without measure and imparted in its fulness to all who come to him with full purpose of heart, so that the church on earth receives of his fulness.
That anointing teaches all truth and causes believers to abide in Christ, producing love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. The earnest of the Holy Spirit is given in conversion when the heart is softened by the grace of God. The earnest is given in answer to humbling prayer after confession of sin and settling of unhappy differences in seeking nearness to God and unity of the church.
This work gives comfort in every trouble and consolation that abounds in Christ, and every believer may share in it. The earnest brings sure knowledge that sins are forgiven, fills the soul with sweet peace and inexpressible joy, transforms even the gambler and drinker and tobacco user into a new man, and shines outwardly on the face in holy light. Having the earnest brings comfort that the Lord will help in every emergency, because his people are laborers together with God. This sealing and filling with the Spirit is the preparation needed to be ready to meet the Lord when he appears with power and great glory.
Because God alone does this work of impressing the mind and purifying the heart, no human worker is supreme or infallible and none is to exalt himself or rule over the faith and consciences of others, but each is to serve as a humble steward without ruling, guiding with kindness and Christlike character, imparting what he has received and speaking the truth in love in a clear decided manner to enlighten others and promote their joy. Fathers and mothers must watch and pray lest they enter into temptation, give heart and mind and soul to God's service, put away severity, and kneel before the Lord to be converted so they may have this earnest.