Why Spiritual Sealing Matters

Again the sealing of the Holy Spirit refers to His ministry of marking the children of God as His own possession and guaranteeing their complete salvation. Having discovered from Ephesian 1:13-14, that this holy sealing transpires at conversion and primarily signifies that believers belong to God, it is vital that we explore the significance of this divine act further. In this article we will consider how spiritual sealing refers to spiritual authority, security, and protection. So, not only does the sealing by the Holy Spirit denote ownership, but it further signifies power and safeguarding for every genuine child of God. These are blessings afforded by the Heavenly Father to every believer without a single exception. They are not privileges earned through obedience, but given as pure acts of grace through the Holy Spirit. Note once more what the insightful Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 1:12-14,

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, ¹⁴ Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.^[1]

DIVINE PROTECTION

Spiritual safeguarding is afforded because the true Christian is sealed by the Spirit. This is God provided protection and security—it is unparalleled and without equal in potency. The Roman seal on the tomb of the Lord Jesus carried this meaning of security and protection rooted in governmental authority (Matt. 27:66). The tomb was under the protection of Roman authority and was to remain secure and the seal unbroken. This was the Jewish rulers and Roman officials’ effort to insure the disciples of the Lord Jesus did not come secretly to steal his body to then make a false claim that Christ had risen from the dead. Likewise, the believer belongs to God, and is spiritually safe because he or she is under divine authority and protection—we are “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation” (1Pet. 1:5). According to the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit will abide with the believer forever—He will not break this seal nor forsake this ministry of safeguarding God’s people (John 14:16-17). Certainly, it is possible for Christians to grieve the Spirit and thereby lose the blessings of His ministry (Eph. 4:30). But He does not leave them; in fact, this a far cry from forsaking believers because of some area of unfaithfulness in the believer.  The Spirit keeps each believer safely and securely in God’s grace and love as He promised (Rom. 8:26-39). The result is life-long eternal security and spiritual protection that will never expire! The truth highlighted here is that the Christians can never…ever…ever be lost again.

Anders (1995, Chapter 3) gives one commonly used story picturing the power and significance of a seal through an emissary that Alexander the Great once sent to Egypt. This representative of the most powerful man on earth at the time traveled to Egypt without weapons or military escort. He carried only the seal of Alexander, possibly a signet ring bearing Alexander’s official seal.

The emissary met with the king of Egypt, who stood with his army behind him, and communicated to him that Alexander wanted him to cease hostilities against Alexander’s interests. The king of Egypt, wishing to save face, said that he would consider Alexander’s request and let him know later what his response would be. At that, the emissary drew a circle in the dirt around the king of Egypt and said, “Do not leave the circle without informing me of your response.” Think of that! The king of Egypt was standing there in full military array, with his army instantly ready to obey his commands. The emissary was unarmed. Yet the king dared not harm or defy the emissary without defying Alexander. Whatever he did to the emissary, he did to Alexander. Realizing that he was facing, by extension, Alexander himself, after a long, tense moment he said, “Tell Alexander he has his request,” and stepped out of the circle.

That is the power and significance of a seal. It carries the full weight of the one who owns it. Christians have God’s seal, the Holy Spirit, which carries the full weight of God the Father behind it (2Corinthians 1:22). The entire power and authority of Almighty God stands behind the believer’s security in Christ! The seal signifies that believers are God’s possessions; God is for them guarantying their security. If God is for them, who can successfully stand against them.

BELIEVERS’ ASSURANCE

It should also be reemphasized that the Spirit’s seal in the believer’s life is meant to be experiential. The Spirit grants inner assurance that a repentant believer is indeed justified before the Lord God because of their faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Though a believer is sealed but once, the spiritual blessing can be experienced continually. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1997 p. 260) in God The Holy Spirit taught that this is part of the value in God communicating this truth to the child of God. The truth is given that Christians might have assurance, enjoyment and blessed security in the salvation of the Lord. They are secure until the ultimate complete redemption and perfection in Christ. There is no need to fear being abandoned by God for whatever reason. We are blessed with the assurance that we belong to the Lord and that He belongs to us!

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine

Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine

Heir of salvation, purchase of God

Born of His spirit, washed in His blood—Fanny Jane Crosby (1820-1915)

BELIEVER’S AUTHENTICITY

Another use for the seal is as a mark of authenticity (Wiersbe 1989, Vol. 2. p. 13) (John 6:27; 3:33). When the Lord Jesus said that God the Father had set His seal on Him, He meant that God had sent Him and approved Him as the genuine Giver of eternal life (Jn. 6:27). Christ’s power to give life rested in the authority which God the Father had vested in him. Thus Christ’s offer of eternal life is legitimate and real; we are free then to trust Him…to believe any claim He makes…to regard ourselves safe under His influence and care. The Father set his seal of approval and authenticity on the Son at his baptism when the Holy Spirit came upon him and the Father spoke of him. When one sets his seal to something, it means that they promise that it is true or genuine. God sealed the Son of Man in the sense that He endorsed Him as the authentic Giver of eternal life, and the One who spoke the truth. Such clear declarations of the authenticity of the Lord Jesus connects deeply with our need to trust Him...believe Him…commit ourselves to following Him. Christ and His message are confirmed by God; He is real about what He promises. Jesus is free of mere clever manipulations! 

Just as a signature on a letter attests to the genuineness of the document, so the presence of the Spirit indwelling believers proves the believer is genuine. There is more here than a claim to believe…more is involved than participation in religious meetings, something far weightier is of interest than meager assertions about being serious about our faith. Paul said, “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His” (Rom. 8:9). It is wise to permit that biblical statement to persist with the intended strength with which it was given! Wiersbe (1996, Vol. 2. p. 13) taught it is not simply our “lip profession, our religious activity, or our good works, but also the witness of the Spirit that makes our profession of faith authentic” (Rom 8:14-17).  This reality should be well understood and never diminished. Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God”^[2] Denney says…Our own spirit tells us we are God’s children, but the voice with which it speaks is, as we know, prompted and inspired by the divine Spirit itself.”^[3] So the significance of the seal is that it declares divine ownership, provides eternal security, and testifies to an authentic conversion experience.

EARNEST

The second observation of the apostle Paul reveals the Spirit’s seal is the “earnest of our inheritance” (Eph. 1:14). Consider Paul’s affirmation, “…ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:14). Therefore, receiving the Spirit was only the ‘first installment’ of the spiritual inheritance. This can be seen through a study of the word “earnest.” And one can be certain “earnest” is a fascinating word!  McGee (1997) indicated in his Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee commentary that in Paul’s day, it meant the down payment to guarantee the final purchase of some commodity or piece of property.

Even today one will hear a real estate agent talk about earnest money to secure a property interest. Naturally speaking, earnest has to do with the deposit one puts down when making a sizable purchase.  It means one is contracting that they will certainly pay the rest; they is putting down on account; it is the first installment, paid as a kind of security (Anders 1995, Chapter 3). It’s a pledge that one will follow on with something more.  Basically there are two other passages of Scripture that communicate this concept of the Spirit’s ministry in the believer and they are 2Corintians 1:22 and 5:5.  This seal, the presence of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling believers, guarantees the final and full redemption of believers (Richards & Richards 1987). It intimates that the present activities of the Spirit foreshadow the type and quality of ministry He will do more fully in the new creation, and so the Spirit with whom God marks them with his stamp of ownership is also appropriately called the “earnest” meaning “caution-money deposited by a purchaser in pledge of full payment,” ‘guarantee’, even ‘first installment’ of believers inheritance (Rom. 8:23; 2Cor. 1:22; 5:5)  according to Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament (Wuest 1997, Vol. 1, p. 49). Max Anders (1995, Chapter 3) in The Holy Spirit: Knowing our Comforter adds yet another valuable insight to the concept of “earnest” by saying, The word earnest also means “engagement ring.” In Greece today you would find this word being used that way. But, after all, isn’t an engagement ring an assurance—a guarantee—that the promises made will be kept? Our relationship to God through Christ is not simply a commercial one, but also a personal experience of love. He is the Bridegroom and His church is the bride. We know that He will come and claim His bride because He has given us His promise and His Spirit as the “engagement ring.” What greater assurance could we want?

GUARANTEE

Then notice the phrase the “redemption of the purchased possession” (Eph. 1:14); it refers to the full inheritance. The seal guarantee to believers the Spirit will finish His work and eventually bring them to glory. Note what Paul stated in Romans 8:23, which says, “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” The “redemption of the purchased possession” refers to the redemption of the body at the return of Christ in the Rapture (Rom 8:18-23; 1John 3:1-3). It speaks of a finished transaction. Even today when important legal documents are processed, they are stamped with the official seal to signify the completion of the transaction. The fact that Christians know the Holy Spirit is living in them is a perfect guarantee of their ultimate salvation—the redemption glorification (1Cor. 1:30). The Holy Spirit has been given to them in order that they might have some kind of idea of what awaits them when they arrive in glory.  God has given them the first fruits.  

One also should view the earnest of the Holy Spirit as having some experiential value for the believer in Christ Jesus.  It seems correct to think that this is afforded to them to give comfort and encouragement.  Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1997, p. 260-262) observed in God The Holy Spirit, that life can be hard and trying and filled with certain temptations and uncertainties, but God affords Christians these assurances to help them through this pilgrimage. What they have experienced of the Spirit is but a foretaste, it is but a sample, a kind of first fruits of the tremendous heritage God is preparing for them.  Again believers not only take these truths by faith, they are moved by them and their emotions are touched deep within, their entire being is influenced and stirred by this truth. Their conduct is curtailed and their actions are guided by this wonderful guarantee. 

The seal and earnest of the Spirit provide assurance of a finished transaction and a guarantee the believer will receive the entire inheritance as an heir of God. Finally, Max Anders (1995, Chapter 3) provides another helpful insight into the seal of the Spirit by noting how the trucking industry provides an interesting illustration of the sealing of the Spirit. For certain types of loads, when a truck is fully loaded and ready for its run, plastic seals are placed around the lock on the door. Breaking this seal before the truck reaches its destination will have at the least the appearance of thief and will mean the loss of one’s job. This is similar to the sealing of the Spirit. The seal of the Spirit cannot be broken before the Christian reaches his heavenly destination. It is the believer’s guarantee of reaching the destination God intends for them.  

Again, the blessings Christians receive now are just a foreshadowing: according to Paul, they still await their “inheritance” in the final and total redemption of the world by God at the end of time. Ephesians 4:30, re-emphasizes this truth, reminding them that they are sealed with the Spirit “unto the day of redemption” to come. Then God’s purpose, initiated in Christ, will be brought to consummation, and seeing it from beginning to end will evoke all creation’s praise of the Creator.

So then regarding the Spirit’s sealing, believers can know they belong to God, is secure in salvation, and their profession of faith is genuine. Then regarding the earnest of the Spirit, believers are assured of a finished transaction. They are guaranteed all the inheritance provisions will be realized fully for each child of God. If the ‘down payment’ was God the Spirit, what in eternity will the full payment be! Clearly, these are important matters to the people of God. 

One other truth should be realized. All these ministries of the Holy Spirit to Christians are simultaneous at the moment of conversion. While the conviction process may be long and drawn-out previous to salvation, people are not saved without it. It is still present at the moment of salvation, convincing sinners to repent, to turn from their previous attitudes about Christ, and to accept Him as their personal Savior. Regeneration, indwelling, and sealing all happen the moment one says “yes” to the invitation of Christ. Then a whole new and wonderful work of God begins in the life of the new convert. Sanctification and spiritual growth are the next natural considerations following such discussions. 

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^[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Eph 1:12–14). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[2] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ro 8:16). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[3] Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Vol. 2, p. 135). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

A Survival Strategy

Yes, real believers can fall, fail, and be derailed! To take serious precautions with our relationships, associations, philosophies, and habits are a given to ensure survival. I’ll leave it to others to debate whether real Christians can commit deep dark sins that discredit our Faith and shame our Lord. I personally see warnings about this very thing as I casually read the Word of God. Furthermore, I am of the opinion most Believers desire to live out their lives in a manner that is generally pleasing to the Lord. No one I know wants to fail as a Christian. Yet, so many of us do! It is heart-breaking, shocking, and somewhat disconcerting when major Christian figures fall. Regardless of theological positions, gross failures are an all to common occurrence.

The question is what can we do? What has God provided to keep us on the straight and narrow? What survival strategies can we employ to avoid disaster? Note the sagacious counsel the prophet Jude gives,

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, [21] Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. [22] And of some have compassion, making a difference: [23] And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. [24] Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, [25] To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 20-25, KJV)

The following is a compilation from several Christian leaders based on Jude 20 – 25.

Study:

I.                   A Survival Strategy for Fighting Apostasy (Jude 20-23).

In addition to remembering what the apostles had said about the apostates, Jude’s readers were to give attention to themselves. The believer’s resource, of course, is to stay close to the Lord and live in unbroken fellowship with Him. But how is this done? Jude lays out the strategic steps.

A.    Build up yourselves in the Christian faith as a means of defense (vs. 20).

                                                 1.      The first is personal edification (“building up yourselves”). This comes from progressing in the knowledge of “your most holy faith,” that is, the Christian faith. This “faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (v. 3); entrusted to the people of God comprises the teaching of the apostles now recorded in the Scriptures, to be studied by us (Acts 20:32; 2 Tim. 2:15).

                                                 2.      We build up ourselves on it by studying and obeying the Bible. Constant familiarity with the word guides us positively in the way of righteousness, and warns us against the perils along the way. “Men may decry doctrine,” H. Pickering says, “but it is creed that produces character and not character that produces creed.” –MacDonald

B.     Continue praying in the Spirit with His illumination, assistance, and power (vs. 20).

                                                 1.      The second step is “praying in the Holy Ghost.” Praying in the Holy Spirit is not speaking in tongues, but is “praying out of hearts and souls that are indwelt, illuminated, and filled with the Holy Spirit” (George Lawrence Lawlor, Translation and Exposition of the Epistle of Jude, p. 127). It is praying in the power of the Holy Spirit (cf. Eph. 6:18). –Walvoord

                                                 2.      This means to pray as guided by the Spirit. That is in accordance with the will of God as revealed in the Bible or as privately revealed by the Spirit in a subjective way to the believer. It is in contrast to prayers which are recited mechanically or spun off without any real spiritual involvement.

                                                 3.      The power for building the Christian life comes from prayer: “praying in the Holy Ghost” (Jude 20). The Word of God and prayer go together in spiritual growth. If all we do is read and study the Bible, we will have a great deal of light, but not much power. However, if we concentrate on prayer and ignore the Bible, we may be guilty of zeal without knowledge. We read the Word to grow in faith (Rom. 10:17), then we use that faith to ask God for what we need and what His Word tells us we may have.

The Word of God and prayer certainly go together (Acts 6:4). Evangelist Billy Sunday used to give his converts three rules for success in the Christian life. Each day they were to read the Bible and let God talk to them. They were to pray; in other words, they were to talk to God. And they were to witness and talk to others about God. It would be difficult to improve on those rules.

What does it mean to “pray in the Holy Spirit”? (Note the contrast with Jude 19—“having not the Spirit.”) It means to pray according to the leading of the Spirit. It has well been said, “Prayer is not getting man’s will done in heaven—it is getting God’s will done on earth.” This agrees with 1 John 5:14–15.

As Christians, we may pray in solitude (Matt. 6:6), but we never pray alone; the Spirit of God joins with us as we pray (Rom. 8:26–28) because He knows the mind of God and can direct us. He can give us wisdom and knowledge from the Word (Eph. 1:15ff). He can also help us approach the Father through the access we have in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:18). We worship God “in the Spirit” (Phil. 3:3), and the Spirit motivates us to pray, for He is “the Spirit of grace and of supplications” (Zech. 12:10). When the believer is yielded to the Spirit, then the Spirit will assist him in his prayer life, and God will answer prayer. –Wiersbe, Warren W.: The Bible Exposition Commentary

C.    Guard yourselves by remaining in the love of God and fellowship (vs. 21).

                                                 1.      Thirdly is keeping ourselves in God’s love (Jude 21) does not indicate that salvation depends on our own efforts, for that would contradict other clear Scripture passages (v. 24). Instead, a believer is nurtured as he is occupied with God’s love for him, and is in fellowship with Him (John 15:9-10, “abide in My love”).

                                                 2.       [Thus] believers are to keep themselves in the love of God. Here the love of God can be compared to the sunshine. The sun is always shining. But when something comes between us and the sun, we are no longer in the sunshine. That’s the way it is with the love of God. It is always beaming down upon us. But if sin comes between us and the Lord, then we are no longer enjoying His love in practice. We can keep ourselves in His love first of all by lives of holiness and godliness. And if sin should come between, then we should confess and forsake that sin immediately. The secret is to let nothing come between us and God. –Believer's Bible Commentary

                                                 3.      Nothing between my soul and the Savior, Naught of this world’s delusive dream; Nothing preventing the least of His favor, Keep the way clear, let nothing between. —Charles A. Tindley

D.    Keep looking to Jesus for mercy until He comes for us in the Rapture unto eternal life (vs. 21).

                                                 1.      Fourthly, we should be eagerly “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

                                                 2.      The phrase “looking for” means waiting expectantly for the blessed hope, the return of Christ for His saints, as another means of personal nurture. The mercy of our Lord here refers to His imminent return to take His people home to heaven. Waiting for that event is waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ in the sense that the Rapture will be the consummating evidence of His mercy. Jude added that it will bring us “unto eternal life,” that is, to enjoying never-ending life in God’s own presence (1 Peter 1:5, 9, 13). In days of darkness and apostasy, we are to keep the light of the blessed hope burning in our hearts. It will prove a comforting and purifying hope (1 Thess. 4:18; 1 Jn. 3:3).

                                                 3.      We build our Christian life on the foundation of faith and through the motivation of love. But we also need hope: “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” The believer’s eyes must be lifted heavenward. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). “Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God” (2 Peter 3:12).

The word translated “looking” (Jude 21) means “earnestly expecting.” It describes an attitude of life that is motivated by the promise of our Lord’s return. The apostates can only look for judgment, but God’s people are looking for mercy. Not only is our salvation from sin the gift of God’s mercy, but so also is the deliverance of His church from this evil world. In His mercy, He will come for us and take us to Himself.

We have already noted that looking for the coming of the Lord is a great encouragement to Christian living. It makes us want to keep pure (1 John 3:3) and to avoid the things of the flesh and the world (Phil. 3:17–21). Our hope in Christ is like an anchor (Heb. 6:19) that holds us in the storms of life, and like a helmet that protects us in the battles of life (1 Thes. 5:8). –The Bible Exposition Commentary

E.      Serve with compassion and caution to make a real impact in your ministry (vs. 22-23). A certain measure of spiritual discernment is necessary in dealing with victims of apostasy (v. 22). The Scriptures make a distinction between the way we should handle those who are active propagandists of false cults and those who have been duped by them. In the case of the leaders and propagandists, the policy is given in 2 John 10, 11.  Do not receive them into your house nor greet him with blessing; to do so is to participate in their evil activities. But in speaking of those who have been deceived by false teachers, Jude counsels making a distinction and gives two separate courses of action.

                                                 1.      Exercise Compassion (v. 22). On these believers we should have compassion. That is, we should show a compassionate interest in them and try to guide them out of doubts and disputations into a firm conviction of divine truth.

i.        Compassion refers to being gracious and showing pity on those struggling with confusion and doubts. It is to show mercy by extending help because of the grave consequence of sin, as opposed to becoming hardened and adding to their pains. Generally it is to be merciful on a person in miserable circumstances when they do not deserve such gracious treatment.

ii.      Because the words of the apostates were confusing, probably many believers were in doubt as to whether to follow them. Such persons, Jude wrote, should not be slandered or criticized. They should be dealt with in love and mercy—the same way in which the Lord dealt with them (cf. v. 21). They needed encouragement, not criticism. They needed to be built up, not torn down. –The Bible Knowledge Commentary

                                                 2.      Exercise Caution (v. 23). Some must be saved “with fear.” Such individuals are so corrupt that the stench of sin has polluted them and even their clothing reek with the odor of corruption (v. 12, “spots”). Be on alert as you attempt to rescue people from the grip of lies (vs. 23) because you could become contaminated in the process. Be sure to hate the lifestyles of carnality you will be exposed to as you try to save others from the clutches of evil (vs. 23).

i.        Then there are those who are on the verge of the precipice, ready to fall over into the flames of apostasy (v. 23). These we are to save by strong, resolute warning and instruction, hating even the garment spotted [defiled] by the flesh. In the OT the clothing of a leper was contaminated and had to be burned (Lev. 13:47–52). Today in dealing with people who have fallen into sexual sins, we must remember that material objects, such as clothing, for example, often excite the passions. As we see these things or feel them, there is a mental association with certain sins. So in dealing with people who have become defiled, we must be careful to avoid anything which might prove a temptation in our own lives. –Believer's Bible Commentary

ii.      Clothing suggests the contaminating effect of their sin. Like the leper whose clothing was polluted by the disease (Lv. 13:34; 14:8), they are to be seen as a source of pollution and therefore shunned. –New Bible Commentary

iii.    An unknown author expressed it like this: “The clothes that belong to a man have about them the association and infection of sin, the contagion of evil. Whatever is associated with a life of sin should be cast off and renounced, if we are to be safe from the infection and contagion of this soul-destroying disease.”

iv.     J. B. Mayor warns, “While it is the duty of the Christian to pity and pray for the sinner, he must view with loathing all that bears traces of the sin.”

II.                An Exaltation for God’s Preserving Power (Jude 24-25). 

In this final paragraph Jude exploded with a most elevated doxology, answering the unexpressed question, “But who will deliver us from the apostates and the apostasy into which they lead the unsuspecting?” His proclamation was, praise be to Him who is able to keep you from falling. Victory over apostasy is found in Jesus Christ! He is the One who will “keep” believers.

A.    Christ is able to keep you from falling prey to apostasy and present you faultless in God’s presence (v. 24).

                                                 1.      Christ is able to preserve us (v. 24).

i.        Jude ascribes praise and worship to Him who is able (v. 24). He is able to save (Heb. 7:25), able to establish (Rom. 16:25), able to aid (Heb. 2:18), able to subdue (Phil. 3:21)—and here He is able to keep. He is able to keep us in perfect peace (Isa. 26:3), He is able to keep that which we have committed to Him until that Day (2 Tim. 1:12), He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Eph. 3:20), and He is able to keep us from falling into error.

ii.      This last promise is especially timely for the days of apostasy to which Jude is referring.

                                                 2.      Christ will present us (v. 24). The promise doesn’t stop with preservation, it includes faultless presentation. Christ is able to make us stand faultless in the presence of His glory with exceeding joy (v. 24). Christ will present believers to His Father without fault and with great joy—joy both for Himself and for them (Heb. 12:2; 1 Peter 1:8). This is ridiculously astounding!

                                                 3.      Here is the greatest theme of victory to be sounded, the highest note of praise and adoration possible, and the greatest assurance for the redeemed. When we think of what we were—dead through our trespasses and sins; when we think of what we are—poor, weak, failing servants; and then to think that one day we will stand absolutely faultless in the Throne Room of the universe, rejoicing “with exceeding joy”—what grace is this!

B.     God, our wise Savior, is worthy of glory, majesty, dominion, and power today and forever more (v. 25).

                                                 1.      Jude attributes to God—to the only wise God our Savior glory, majesty, dominion, and power, which are all available to believers through the Victor, Jesus Christ our Lord. And this exalted position is true of God in eternity past, in the present, and for all eternity in the future. Thus, Jude fulfills his heart’s desire of writing in the most joyful terms (Jude 3), for in Christ there is hope in victory, which gives believers joy and confidence.

                                                 2.      He is not only our Keeper and Perfecter—He is God our Savior (v. 25). It is a marvel that God should be so interested in us that He would also become our Savior, in the sense that He devised the plan whereby we are saved, and He provided His sinless Son as the sacrificial Lamb. Who alone is wise—ultimately all wisdom comes from God (cf. Jas. 1:5). Our wisdom is merely derived from the fount of wisdom, the only wise God.

If worship (Old English “worth-ship”) means ascribing to God what He is worthy of, it will be glory, and majesty, dominion, and power. Glory—the superlative honor He deserves for all He is and all He has done for us. Majesty—the dignity and splendor He deserves as the Supreme Monarch of the universe. Dominion—the unchallenged sway which is His by sovereign right. And power or authority—the might and prerogative to rule all that His hands have made.

He was worthy of such praise in the past, He is worthy at the present time, and He will be worthy of it throughout eternity. Apostates and false teachers may seek to rob Him of glory, detract from His majesty, grumble against His dominion, and challenge His power. But all true believers find their greatest fulfillment in glorifying and enjoying Him both now and forever.

Amen. –MacDonald, William: Believer's Bible Commentary

Conclusion:

So, this is how we are to earnestly contend for the faith. This includes energetically defending the Christian Faith, resisting the influence and message of false teachers, and ministering with compassion and caution to those already burned by their erroneous teachings. All the while we have the assurance of God’s preserving power on our behalf!

We are not given the choice to opt out and hide in a religious cloister somewhere…no, God calls upon us to engage in such intense spiritual battles for the souls of men and the welfare of believers. Biblical separation is always appropriate, but isolation has never been God’s strategy. While this type of ministry is not for every believer, it is a part of mature Christian ministry. None of us can afford to be presumptuous about our levels of strength, serious preparation is necessary to engage these challenges effectively. 

Why Do We Need Spiritual Armor?

Why Do We Need Spiritual Armor?

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11, Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13, Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Eph. 6:10-13) 

What is the purpose of spiritual armor? Actually the answer to that important question is found in Ephesians 6:11 and 13. You see, God’s spiritual armor enables us Believers to become strong in the Lord for the purpose of standing firmly while resisting the “wiles of the devil.” Such armor is for engaging in supernatural combat with demonic agents, and continuing to “withstand in the evil day” of temptation. Thus armor is protective gear—a defensive measure that preserves the warrior in combat. As such the Christian warrior can persevere in the battles while facing a formidable foe. Our spiritual armor affords us supernatural and divine protection in a war that is intensely spiritual in nature. In fact based on our passage in Ephesians, the following four observations spell out the incredible benefits of our God-provided armor.

God’s Special Armor Equipment is for Divine Protection (Eph. 6:11).

Since we are fighting against enemies in the spirit world, we need special equipment both for offense and defense. While God’s armor provides the protection we need, the weapons provide effective means of assault. Do not miss the point…complete protection is given to God’s warriors as we engage the enemy under God’s power and authority.

God has provided the “whole armour” for us, and we dare not omit any part. All forms and every form of defense required to engage the enemy effectively has been furnished to us. We must be certain to don the entire armor set. Satan looks for that unguarded area where he can get an advantage. He desires a strategic position that will afford him opportunities for launching life-crippling attacks (Eph. 4:27). God assures each of us of the need to put on the “whole armour”! We must take up the prescribed weapons of this warfare, and by the power of our Lord Jesus withstand Satan. Beloved, any and all of this must be undertaken by real faith. In the middle of battle is not the place to doubt our body armor or our weapons!

The armor is our God-given resource for our protection, power, and effectiveness in the spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness. These supernatural resources are truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. None of these implements are carnal; all are powerful through Almighty God for surviving the spiritual assaults of the wicked one. These are the spiritual resources for God’s embattled people.

God’s Armor is For Resisting the Enemy’s Strategies and Tricks (Eph. 6:11).

Our supreme Commander-in-Chief has issued divine and complete “war gear” to provide all we need “to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Our armor provisions are the result of His careful plan and strategy to help us thrive in the theater of war. It is certain the devil rules the world of darkness, and postures his armies to engage God’s people. Satan leads the evil kingdom in opposition to God and our Lord Jesus. He uses an array of methods to achieve his wicked goals.  

Our objective is to “stand against” his tricks. This ancient military term means to resist the enemy, hold our position, and offer no surrender. Our Lord would have us “stand fast in the faith” (1 Cor. 16:13), with the determination to “stand perfect and complete in the will of God” (Col 4:12). Standing against Satan and his armies is the imperative: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Once more Peter challenges us concerning Satan’s aggression to “resist stead fast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9). God’s plan for each Believer is to stand our ground refusing any advances of the enemy. All of this means that God has equipped us for victory through His armor.

Also it is important to understand that Satan will not fight fair; his “wiles” will often include subtle tricks, schemes, and devices of non-material conflict. For instance the word “wiles” means strategies or methods of deception. It implies craftiness, cunning, and scheming—this accurately describes Satan’s tactics. It has been well observed that he often uses “discouragement, frustration, confusion, moral failure, and doctrinal error” (MacDonald).  We must also be aware of the fact that Satan has been using these strategies for thousands of years and so have his armies. We may be new to such battles, but our enemy has vast experience and is highly skilled! He is well aware of the multiplicity of weaknesses and vulnerabilities of humanity—fallen mankind. His armies have been manipulating peoples and nations since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Often without our knowing it the enemy takes aim at our greatest susceptibilities to defeat us. If we are not careful we will think the failures, complications, and troubles we find ourselves in are purely the result of our botched efforts. While we may have some responsibility, we must also wisely recognize that a clever enemy is working to deceive us. If he cannot disable us with one method, he will try again with another. Beware of the “wiles” of the wicked one! Always remember that our “ability to stand” in spiritual battles depend ultimately on our use of “the whole armor of God.”

God’s Spiritual Armor is for Complete Victory (Eph. 6:13).

The phrase “having done all, to stand” probably summarize the believers’ victory after the battle. It is well reported that in ancient times, those still standing after the battle were the victors. The whole context of Ephesians six implies that we have the victory. That is correct; without any exception each Christian can experience Christ’s triumph in their individual battles! While it is true we must call every faculty into submission and obedience to Jesus Christ, we can be winners! The passage does not say, ‘having done nothing to stand!’ No, God requires that we give our best energies to this conflict. We are to participate in Christ’s victory over Satan.

It is true that we know the ultimate outcome of this war. Still individual battles can be lost if any Believer has not done all in order to stand (see also James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9). The victory comes from the Lord, but we will undoubtedly know we are at war with a terrible enemy. This is not a matter of doing nothing while the Lord fights the battles! It is a matter of our participating in these battles by faith and consecration to the Lord. God will work harmoniously in us and with us to defeat the foe. We must be in concert with Him to secure victory.

Knowing that Christ has already conquered Satan, and that the spiritual armor and weapons are available, by faith we accept what God gives us and go out to meet the foe. Yes, the day is evil, and the enemy is wicked, but “if God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).

God’s Armor Assure us of Ultimate Victory!

When we engage in warfare at Christ’s command and under His authority, we are assured of full triumph and victory. Whenever we feel as though we are losing the relentless battles, there are two key points to keep in mind.

First, the loss of a battle is not the loss of the war. In some cases, you may feel as if you have lost a round in your fight against the devil and his cohorts. You may experience what you perceive to be a setback. It is helpful to remember our setbacks do not surprise our Lord, nor change His designs for us.

When the Lord Jesus sent out His disciples to preach the gospel and heal the sick, He said that if the people in a city did not receive them, they were to wipe the dust of that place from their feet, give a warning to the people, and move on. Jesus anticipated that His disciples might not be successful 100 percent of the time.

Nevertheless, our Lord fully expected His disciples to continue to move forward! They were charged to do the maximum amount of good. They were to continue preaching and praying with the greatest amount of effectiveness possible in any given town, village, or rural area. Christ Jesus expects the same of us. We may not win every battle or realize the results we anticipated every time, but God’s designs for His warriors have not changed. We still have our orders to stand! There is no incentive for quitting because of personal frustrations when we realize this truth. It may surprise us to not realize, but our Lord does not call us to be successful by our reckoning, but rather, faithful to His purposes. We are to do what He calls us to do; the consequences and results are His responsibility.

Secondly, the final victory will be revealed fully in eternity. You and I cannot presently know the 360 degree impact of our lives and ministries on the lives of others. Some of what we accomplish for Christ on earth will be revealed to us only in eternity. And when it comes to eternity, the devil has absolutely no hold on us once we have accepted Christ as our Savior and Lord.

Nothing the devil can do to us will change our eternal destiny. Think about when the Lord Jesus sent out seventy of His disciples, two by two. He gave them specific instructions to preach the gospel and heal the sick, which included anything that might keep a person from being whole. This was their concentrated focus for this entire tour of service. The disciples returned to Jesus with great joy, saying, “Lord, even the devils are subject unto us in thy name” (Luke 10:17). Satan’s hindrances and oppositions were no match for our Lord’s power and authority! Jesus responded, “And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. [19] Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:18–19).

Understand that sometimes in the Scriptures, serpents and scorpions are other terms for demons. Jesus told His disciples then, and He tells us today, that His followers have authority over the devil, and the devil can do nothing to cause eternal harm to those who rest in the authority of Christ. We may have moments of timidity and fear…we certainly will feel real pain from time to time. Still…be assured we will NOT experience any eternal damage at the hand of Satan. Beloved, vested with the power and authority of our exalted Lord Jesus Christ, we can face our enemies with assurance the victory is ours! So, now that we understand better why we need spiritual war gear…suit up! 

Protected by Light

“Let us put on the armour of light” (Rom. 13:12) counsels the wise Apostle Paul. Feeling vulnerable to the influences of sin? Perhaps you are presently under an outright attack by evil. Did you go further than you ever dreamed you would? Well, Commander-in-Chief Jesus urges us to put on the “armour of light” for protection against the onslaughts of sin, wickedness, and evil. What is this armor? It is the protection of a holy lifestyle deeply rooted in true Christian character. Practicing righteousness provides protection against the powerful influences and attacks of wickedness. When Christian soldiers don the armor, we are prepared for the daily assaults that will ensue, alert to the enemies’ strategies, and equipped for victory in each conflict (Ephesians 6:14–18). Yes, godly, upright, Christ-honoring living will protect us from enslavement to sin, regrets for needless failures that could have been avoided, and sinful behaviors against our holy and loving Lord Jesus.

Casting off the “works of darkness” (Rom. 13:12) should include, but is not limited to, discarding elements in our entertainment, reading, and media life. All of these venues feed the human heart/mind and Satan sets himself in battle array to capture our minds at all costs (2 Cor. 4:4; 10:3-6). For some casting off the “works of darkness” may involve changing the nature of a friendship because it repeatedly leads to sin and moral failures. For others it may have a great deal to do with defiling their bodies, the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:12-20). Think about your habits, dependencies, sexuality, and propensities…. Let us be brutally honest with ourselves here—no games. Is there a substance we need to cast off? Is there a relationship that must be radically changed or broken? Are we surfing websites that are lewd and pornographic? Are we being seduced to be unfaithful to our spouse through social media? Is social media consuming you causing you to neglect family relationships and vital responsibilities? Are you designing and scheming to seduce another?

Beloved, we who are of the Light, must live like people of light to enjoy the protection light provides. It is not by playing with fire that we avoid being burned. Neither is it through drinking poison that we can prove God can protect us from its impact. We have a God-given responsibility in this matter! With the proper gear we can survive in potentially deadly environments. Scuba divers survive underwater because they have the right equipment that enables them to breathe under water. By putting on the armor of light, by the grace of God, we will survive and even thrive in the Lord! I know we are in this wicked world and temptations assault us on every hand. For now, it is still safe enough in this world as long as this world is not in us (Jn. 17:14-19). It is perfectly find for a boat to be in the water, but you are in grave danger when there is water in your boat. When this happens to us, we are going down! I am simply saying if there is water in our boat, start bailing it out through confession, repentance, and cleansing through the blood of Christ (1 Jn. 1:5-2:2). Bail it out…pump it out now—you are in a state of emergency! This of necessity requires that we repent and forsake known sins while living righteously with genuine commitment (2 Pet. 3:14; 1 John 2:28; cf. Eph. 4:22; Col. 3:8–10; Heb. 12:1, 14; James 1:21; 1 Pet. 2:1; 4:1–3). Invite God the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh and control your thoughts, desires, and actions. Yield your body to Him as His instruments of righteousness (Rom. 6:12-18) and do right until the stars fall. When we do so we will enjoy the protective shield of living in the Light (John 12:36; Eph. 5:8, 14; Col. 1:12; 1 Thes. 5:5; 1 John 1:7; 2:10). With consistent and continuous application we will eventually enjoy a greater quality of life. Free of overwrought remorse and regrets, and filled with the peace and power of God’s brilliant-life-altering Presence. May you be absolutely blessed as you choose this; may you always glorify Jesus Christ in the light.