About that seal…
- By John Hicks
- Feb 5, 2019
- 4 min read

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, Ephesians 1:13
Is that seal stated as being one that is unbreakable or is that assumed? How does that assumption hold up to the following scriptures?
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 2 Peter 2:19-22
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. Hebrews 3:12
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Hebrews 6:4-6
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Hebrews 10:26-27
Are we to assume that sin in a heathen results in utter torment in Hell but for a Christian they can sin and the worse they will get will be either a slap on the wrist, albeit a firm one or an early departure from earth and then they will be in heaven? God’s attitude towards future sins does not change.
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. Ezekiel 18:4
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Hebrews 13:8
People are mistaken in their thinking that all sins are covered by God’s grace as if being saved is a license to sin with minimal repercussions. That is not something that a just judge would support and enforce. We are forgiven of our past sins and then move forward as new creations freed from the bondage of sin. If we fail and confess and repent then he forgives. He is just like that.
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; Romans 3:24-24
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 6:1-2
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
So the thought process of a believer should be that they can go on without sinning instead of surrendering to the lies of Satan that they cannot do what God has commanded us to do. People today continue to believe the lie first told to mankind in the garden, “Ye shall not surely die” (Gen 3:4).
“…sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” John 5:14
“…go, and sin no more.” John 8:11
It is really possible…
“…If thou wilt be perfect…With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:21 and 26 but read all the other verses to for full context…
“The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Luke 18:27
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13
This provides cross-testament contextual support in regards to the original issue being discussed:
Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul. Ezekiel 3:20-21
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