Life’s challenges can shake anyone’s walk with God. To combat this, we must build our faith properly.
Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” -2 Timothy 2:19a
The foundation God provides for His people is solid and the seal is certain. According to 1 Corinthians 3:11, the foundation is Jesus. According to Ephesians 1:13, the seal is the Holy Spirit. Paul addresses a number of things that God used this immovable foundation to accomplish in 2 Timothy 1.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, -2 Timothy 1:8-10
Through the gospel, God saved and rescued those who would be obedient to Him. We were given a purpose as well as grace through the sacrifice of Jesus. Through the gospel story God eliminated death and shone a light on true life and immortality. The obstacles built by mankind’s sin were broken apart by God’s foundation. This enabled us to be sealed with His identifying mark, the Holy Spirit.
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
When do we receive this seal? Peter answers this question on Pentecost.
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” -Acts 2:38-39
God has provided forgiveness and the seal of the Holy Spirit so what is our responsibility as Christians? Eliminating sin in our lives so we can be useful to Him.
“Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”
-2 Timothy 2:19b
God has given us a firm foundation so that we can stand strong no matter what life throws at us. He marked us as His at our cleansing. After all He has done for us, getting rid of sin in our lives is the least we can do!