Seal of Authenticity

Have you ever thought about what makes something authentic?  

au·then·tic

   [aw-then-tik] 

–adjective

1.

not false or copied; genuine; real: an authentic antique.

2.

having the origin supported by unquestionable evidence;authenticated; verified: an authentic document of the MiddleAges; an authentic work of the old master.

3.

entitled to acceptance or belief because of agreement withknown facts or experience; reliable; trustworthy: anauthentic report on poverty in Africa.

     One of the best ways to tell if something is authentic is if it has a 'seal of authenticity'.  Depending on what the object is and who it is from will determine what that seal looks like.  For example, the US Government authenticates currency through watermarks and stamps, artists and craftsmen authenticate their artwork with signatures, businesses may use stamps or stickers or stitching with their company's logo to authenticate their pieces.  Having something that is authentic is of great value.  Have you ever seen an episode of 'Antique Roadshow'?  The appraisers are there for two reasons... One:  to make sure that a piece is authentic and not a forgery and Two: to quote a value/worth for the piece, after it has been verified authentic.
     It had never occurred to me, until today, that we also have a seal of authenticity on us.  Although fingerprints do create a unique authenticity about us, that is not what I am referring to.  As Christians we are sealed.  Sealed in a way that sets us apart from everyone else... the apostle Paul sums it up nicely when he wrote to the saints in Ephesus...

"In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory." ~ Ephesians 1:13-14

     Once we hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and set our beliefs in Him we are sealed.  God has put a stamp of authenticity on us through means of the Holy Spirit.  This seal that not only sets us apart from the rest of the world, but also guarantees us an inheritance.

in·her·it·ance

   [in-her-i-tuhns] 

–noun

1.

something that is or may be inherited; property passing atthe owner's death to the heir or those entitled to succeed;legacy.

     In order to be an heir, one usually has to be related through family ties to the owner.  So you may be asking yourself, "How can I receive an inheritance from God if I am not related through family ties?"  Ephesians 1:4-5 tells us that God loves us so much He wants to adopt us...

"even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.  In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will."

     Not only did God want to adopt us into His family, He wanted to also make us part of His blood-line of decedents.  The blood that Jesus Christ, His Son, shed on the cross allows us to take part in that inheritance and receive that amazing seal of authenticity that is the Holy Spirit.   Paul even goes a step further and lets us know how loved we are by our creator...

"In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight." ~ Ephesians 1:7-8

     As a lover would lavish his love with precious gifts, so are we lavished in the precious and priceless gift of Grace; a free gift given to us through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus and His precious blood that was shed for us on cross.   We are so valued in God's eyes that He has gone above and beyond, what we can sometimes fathom, to place a one-of-a-kind seal of authenticity on us.
     As our appraiser, God has determined that you are set apart and authentic.  He has also determined that you are a priceless piece in His family!!!