“And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14

I was very careful. Failing to mail a check, and having it received and posted, came with consequences. Going to my desk I retrieved an inexpensive envelope, I carefully wrote both addresses on the face. Once accomplished, and I was satisfied that they were clearly legible, I inserted the check, sealed the envelope and, only then, applied the stamp and placed it in the box.

Handwriting has never been my forte. Learning to write in cursive brings uncomfortable remembrances to this day. By the time I could choose to write without someone correcting me, I chose to print in upper case, block letters only. In the age of computers, I rarely even do THAT! Thus, without much practice, my handwriting isn’t the best. So being frugal, I save the stamp until last!

Learning from mistakes is common and universally accepted as the best way to remember. Years ago I recalled having stamped an envelope, then after doing so, proceeded to illegibly scribble the addresses. My mistake cost me the cost of a stamp! So I learned to carefully address, seal and THEN stamp my outgoing mail. ‘Clear and precise’ is the only way to ensure critical correspondence!

There is a part of the mailing process that is just as critical, but one I don’t see. It is the stamp by the Postal Service that verifies my letter has been received, canceling the stamp for any further use. Today’s verse confirms that this process is also God’s way of handling the transaction of my sin and salvation! Intentional deliberate confession receives a like response from Him. Thus… SALVATION!

The seriousness of The Lake of Fire requires the seriousness of my correspondence with God. NOBODY gets ‘saved’ by accident. The seriousness of Christ’s crucifixion from my sin deserves my serious, deliberate response… AND God’s deliberate canceling of my debt. The verified transaction requires my continued commitment to validate our agreement, since salvation is serious business!

God received and stamped His verification on my soul over 55 years ago. I carry that ‘Stamp of Approval’ with me wherever I go. Being His possession carries the responsibility of carefulness in everything I do… since elsewhere in the Bible, I am called His ‘letter to the world!’ Do YOU carry God’s seal of approval and are YOU daily living, working and acting according to your contract?