2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NKJV) Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
“Ninety-day money back guarantees”. “Established in 1851”. “Sealed with a kiss”. “Giving you our very best”. The world throws around a lot of marketing lingo and often, we have no reason to think they will honor it. Sadly, it’s often the same with our jobs, friends, family, co-workers and – shamefully – fellow Christians. Of course we understandably have almost zero trust in the guarantees and promises of politicians/government.
But there is one source we can place our full faith, trust, hope and confidence in: God. In our verse, Paul refers to the works of God the Spirit in our lives:
Establishes – sets in place, secures, determines without fail, firmly grounds, sovereignly declares
Anoints – this is not some special anointing but the common anointing for all Believers (1John 2:20, 27) whereby we are each specially and particularly empowered and prepared to fulfill our service for Christ
Seals – in ancient history a “seal” was an authentication of identity and authority. We still see it today in such things like a notary seal. The seal prevented tampering, forgery and unauthorized use. God seals and protects us for His purpose.
Guarantees – more specifically a down payment. The Spirit indwelling the Believer is the down payment on eternal salvation and security in Christ. It is a pledge, a promise, a voucher by none other than God Himself whereby we are declared saved and righteous by His authority. We are purchased by the shed blood of Jesus Christ on an eternal layaway plan!
Think It Over: In this sin-cursed world, no amount of promises, contracts, lawyers or laws keeps someone from not honoring their word, breaking an agreement, or ignoring a guarantee. We just have to live with that fact for the time being. But, praise God, Believers in Jesus can confidently believe in ALL of God’s promises from salvation to peace to joy to His daily care. Not a single promise, guarantee or seal of God will ever fall short, be neglected, get compromised or fail. Not one.