31: Who Jesus Says We Are -- Sealed

We are victorious, we are secure, we are held, we are redeemed, we are chosen, approved, and accepted. We are fully equipped through the strength we have in Christ. And we are sealed. As believers, we bear the mark of Christ, and when we stand before the throne of grace, we are recognized as belonging to Him. The sinless Lamb took the punishment that we deserved.

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. -- Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)

So, as we come to the end of this thirty-one days, I offer this finishing prayer:

Lord, thank you for meeting us and for hearing our prayers. Thank you that we can approach your throne and experience the grace by which we are saved. Take this offering, these words, and use them for your glory. Bless the writers and the readers from the past thirty-one days, and remind them of your presence and your unrelenting love for them. Give us all boldness as we go into the world, and help us to walk in the assurance that we are never alone -- that you go before us. Lord, I pray that we would find our worth, our security, and our identities in you alone. Thank you for creating us in your image and for sending Jesus to hit the mark in our stead. Our redemption came at such a great cost, but you paid the price because you love us. Help us each to communicate that love to others through our words and our actions. In Jesus' name, so be it. 

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The Conversation Starts Here: 

As we come to the end of this series, what have you learned or been reminded of about your identity in Christ?

How has Jesus worked in your heart through this series?

{Leave your questions + answers + thoughts in the comments below.}

Some Fine Print:

This is the thirty-first of thirty-one installments to be posted throughout the month of October. To view the entire table of contents as it is made available, click here. You can receive the entire series in your inbox for free by subscribing via email (no spam, just my heart by way of weblog). Please feel free to pass these words along to a friend. Sharing is caring!