I.
GOD’S SEAL IS THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT JESUS.
The
tainting of the world with the slime of sin comes through
the depravity introduced by Satan in the Garden of Eden and
continues today. It is not human failure, ignorance, foolishness;
but rather, depravity or inbred sin also called carnality
that has ethically, morally, and spiritually bankrupt the
human race. There is no good news to be discovered in its
place. But the good news is that Jesus offers us the power
to break that cycle of sin through his life from the cross
and through resurrection power. Depravity, sin, does not have
to reign in us. Sin can be replaced by holy living. That is
good news for a lifetime and for eternity!
During
this lifetime Jesus offers…
*Peace
in the chaos of living.
*Forgiveness
in a spiteful world.
*Wholeness
in a fractured culture.
*Purity
in a soiled heart.
*Mercy
in a merciless community.
*Healing
in a hurting society.
II.
GOD’S SEAL IS THE FREEDOM JESUS OFFERS.
Jesus
came to throw open the prison doors that sin had sealed. He
came to release the prisoners from their dungeons. The Septuagint
translates this section as the “opening of the eyes.”
Whether it is prison doors or closed eyes, liberty and freedom
come to the believer.
Seneca observed that to obey God is perfect liberty.
Someone wrote, “Great the joy when the blinding film
of human tradition and religion is removed by the power of
the ascended Lord through the Spirit! Great the gladness and
gratitude in the possession of liberty and spiritual sight!”
Those who have been prisoners of sinful habits can be set
free by the grace and love of God.
Christians can grow as they allow their freedom to possess
them.
Charles Simpson, writes in Pastoral Renewal:
I met a man who dives for exotic fish for aquariums. The shark
is one of the most popular aquarium fish that he dives after.
He explained that if you catch and confines a small shark,
it will stay a size proportionate to the aquarium. Sharks
can be six inches in length and yet fully mature. But if they
are turned loose into the ocean, they grow to their normal
eight foot length.
Simpson writes, “That also happens to some Christians.
I’ve seen the cutest little six-inch Christians who
swim in a little puddle. But if you put them into a larger
arena—into the whole creation—only then can they
become great.”
Christ offers freedom today. Will you take his offer?
III.
GOD’S SEAL IS IN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT JESUS OFFERS.
Righteousness
essentially means that our attitude is like that of Christ’s,
one of faithfulness or truthfulness. It is a repudiation and
condemnation of sin. As Christians we have a desire to conduct
our lives in God’s will; however, he has appointed humankind
to live. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for
us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”
(II Cor. 5:21 NIV).
Righteousness takes on God characteristics in an ethical connotation.
The rich don’t oppress the poor. People see those in
need and offer help. Cheating others is not our mode of operation.
Righteousness takes on God characteristics in a moral connotation.
Moral issues such as abortion, premarital sex, extra-marital
relationships, drugs, embezzlement, fraud, murder are seen
as things godly people will oppose.
Righteousness takes on God characteristics in a spiritual
connotation. A righteous lifestyle becomes the habit of the
Christian. The believer wants now to follow Jesus in life,
action and faith.
Is
God’s seal upon your life today?
