The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 25

set a.part, to carry out the Divine purposes. Christ was anointed with the Holy Ghost (A.cts x. 38); so is the believer. With the anointing comes the power to realize the purpose of the anointing (1 John ii. 27). Here is great privilege, but at the same time great responsibility. A.re we fulfilling the design of our anointing? III. To BE SEALED. Believers are sealed by the reception of the Holy Ghost (Eph. i. 13 and iv. 30). This is the Divine mark or seal put upon them. Thie eealinu: 1. lndica,tes proprietorship. Believers have God's seal upon them because they ~e God's. He lays claim to them. They are in a most special sense/or God. "Ye are not your own." 2. .Authentuates. The genuineness of a believer is guaranteed by this mark. If be is sealed, then he is of God, though in some things he may seem eccentric. No spurious goods pass under this brand. Yet imitations of the Divine seal are many, so that we have need to" try the spirits," to ascertain whether they are truly of the Holy Spirit. The true seal authenticates us to ourselves. "The Spirit him- self beareth witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Rom, viii. 16). Our assurance springs from the Divine sealing, , Dreamings, frames and feelings, and fancies, even opinions of others, are as nought .compared with the witness of the Spirit. 3. Invests with authority. That which bears the royal seal he.s weight and authority among men; and those who bear the Divine seal are intended by God to exercise large influence over their fellows. They have the weight and authority of accredited servants of God. Not lightly are they to be esteemed; not contemptuously are their words to be received. So far as they are true to their sealing, they are of God, and are to be regarded as his messengers. 4. Preserves. Safety is often ensured by the human seal, always by the Divine. If God has marked us for his own, none shall pluck us out of his hand. Though the universe should rise up against a sealed saint, it should inglo- riously fail; for the Divine seal is the pledge that Omnipotence will defend the sealed. God is not mocked. What he has set apart for himself he will have, and who shall say him nay? The saints are safe, for they are sealed of God. 5. Testifies to value. We seal only that which we value. And yet there may be no intrinsic value in that which is sealed. In itself it may be of no account; but we seal it because we can use it for some important pnrpose. So with the believer. Of himself he is nothing and lees than nothing, and vanity. The sealinj:( is no teacher of pride. He is sea.Jed of God, not because be is excellent or of himself of any service, but because God in his infinite grace designs to make him so. The seal praises, not us, but God, who of us can make that which will redound to his glory and accomplish his purposes. IV. To BE ENDOWED WITH THE EABNEBT OF THE SPIRIT. The Divine Spirit with which believers are sealed is the" earnest money," the pledge of that which has yet to come. The expression refers to that part of the purchase money which was paid in advance as a security for the remainder. Of what, then, is the possession of the Divine Spirit a guarantee? 1. Of yet fuller possession of the Spirit. 2. Of complete salva- tion. 'l'he "firstfruits" of the Spirit a pledge of the great harvest (Rom. viii. 23; Epb. i. 13, 14). 3. Of fulfilment of all Divine promises. 4. Of our enjoyment of tho eternal inheritance. 'l.'he heaven is begun. No great heaven above for those who have no lesser heaven below. This pledge of the future does not conflict with diligence and faithfulness in Christian walk. 'l.'hese are the signs of the possession of the Divine Spirit-a mirror in which alone we may see the reflection of the great privilege we claim. The holier we are in inner and outer life the more clearly shull we see what we possess. If we walk unholily the mirror will reflect only sin and condemnation. The perseverance of saints is saints persevering. V. THE SouncE OF THESE PRIVILEGES. God. We are debtors for these vast mercies. In them we are "enriched by him." Knowing tho Source, we shall know where to seek for those things which a.re "more precious than rubies."-H. Ver. 5.-Ch,·i6tian suffering. It is correct to say that Christ suffered in order that we may not suffer, died that we may never die. "Christ suffered for us." But _it is alHo correct to say that Christ suffered in order that we may suffer with him, and, following him in the path of self-denial and patience, may be with him in his kingdom and glory. 'l.'he apostles Paul and Peter regarded sufferings for Christ as continuutions of the sufferings of Christ, and always looked, and taught their brethren to look, along a vista of trial and affliction towurd the happy issue of being glorified together with Christ ell, 1, 1-24,] THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 25