Sealed with the Spirit

The very first fact that every believer in Christ should learn is that instantly upon believing we are given eternal life. Ephesians 1:13-14 speaks to this point:

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.

Notice, too, that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit Himself is the seal. So rejoice in your completed redemption and rest in the fact that the Holy Spirit keeps you eternally safe!

While we can't lose the Holy Spirit we can, and often do, "grieve the Holy Spirit." But the wonderful news is that absolutely "nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 8:38-39). This is why Paul, in the same breath, tells us not to grieve the Spirit and again reassures us that this same Spirit keeps us eternally safe:

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (Eph 4:30).

But doesn't this encourage sinful living? Those who think so have missed Paul's whole point. He doesn't warn us that if we grieve the Spirit we will be lost. Rather, in grace he says, "Don't grieve the very Spirit who in love and mercy has sealed you forever as His own. Don't repay such love with such ingratitude."