Have you ever had to have a document notarized? It’s an interesting process with some important implications. When I was applying for credentials as a minister I had to have some of the application documents notarized before sending them. My local credit union offered notary services at no charge, so I took the documents there. When I sat down with the notary she asked to see my ID, a few questions about the document and then asked me to affirm that all that I had written was true. After that she stamped the document, wrote the date and signed her name in the appropriate blanks. In most business cases that would have been enough, but not in the notarizing process. After her signature was complete she squeezed a special tool on the paper that embossed a raised seal into it. That embossing was the most important part of the notarizing process. It was her notary seal that made the whole thing official.

What is the purpose of notarizing a document? The notary is in essence affirming the truth of the document, that you are who you say you are and that what is in the document is the solid truth and not a creative concoction. It’s a pledge of authenticity. A notary can only obtain the right to a seal when they meet certain qualifications required by the governing authorities.The seal is the proof that the notary has the authority to affirm your identity and your document. 

Did you know that you have been “notarized,” so to speak? When you and I chose to put our trust in Christ, when we believed, then God put His seal on us. He sealed us with His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit in our lives is the evidence that we belong to God. He proves our authenticity as believers. If you ever question yourself and the validity of your commitment, look for evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in you. “For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬ The Holy Spirit acts as the agent of affirmation within our lives and without.

What does it mean to belong to God? You are His, not your own, not your spouse’s, not your parents’, not your children’s. You belong to God. Just take a moment to think about that. What does that mean to you? Have you ever allowed the fullness of that truth to sink into your spirit and fill you up?

When you belong to God, when He calls you “Mine,” it means you are someone of great worth and value. Really. The God of the Universe, the King above all kings, the Ruler of all creation, set you apart and said, “This one is Mine. I choose her.” He chose you! He didn’t say, “Well, this one wandered in. I might as well keep it.” As if you were a stray cat meowing for food and attention.

He.

Chose.

You. 

He put His seal.

On you.

In ancient times the seal was a mark on property or proclamations. It denoted authority. It announced ownership. In the book of Esther in the Bible, Queen Esther and her elder cousin, Mordecai, were given the king’s seal with permission to write whatever they wanted to declare that the Jews could defend themselves against a planned annhiliation. That seal in their hands meant they acted with the king’s authority. It was as if the king himself was speaking. (Esther 8:8)

You are sealed with the King’s Holy Spirit, which not only marks you as His, but fills you with His authority and His power. You represent the King of the Universe as His dearly loved child. How’s that for awesome?

Key thought: The Holy Spirit affirms that I am His.

A Scripture to Consider:

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.  Ephesians 1:13-14

A YES Challenge: Take some time to reflect on the truth of your identity as a child of God, that you belong to Him. Have you been acting according to that truth? If not, what is one change you can make today that will help you begin to absorb this truth.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for putting the seal of the Holy Spirit on my life. Thank You for chooosing me and calling me Yours. I have only just begun to fully embrace that identity. Help me grow in the knowledge and understanding of who I am in You and help me to live in the fullness of all that means. Amen.