Verse of the Day 9/8

Through the Bible - Proverbs 15-16, 2 Corinthians 3   Good morning, Over the weekend, the Bible reading plan outlined above moved into 2 Corinthians where we'll go for today's verse.  Paul had closed his first letter to the Corinthian church with a call and challenge to stand fast, be brave, and be strong. (1 Cor. 16:13).   In this letter he is reminding them that it is God who enables them and us to stand firm for Christ.   2 Cor 1:21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.  NLT or from the NKJV 2 Cor 1:21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.   The words used between the translations above are pretty much interchangeable, but the picture is clear.  The presence of the Spirit in our lives will be verified in how we live.  He establishes us, annoints us, seals us and has given us the Spirit in our hearts.   What does it mean to be "sealed"?  John MacArthur writes that this "refers to the ancient practice of placing soft wax on a document and imprinting the wax with a stamp that indicated authorship or ownership, authenticity, and protection.  The Holy Spirit attaches all these meanings to His act of spiritually "sealing" believers."   If we are His, we should have his "image" stamped on our hearts, and our lives should show the authenticity that we are His.   The old hymn "O to be Like Thee" came to mind, do you remember the refrain:   O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee, Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art; Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness; Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.   May that be our prayer our desire today.   In Christ, Mike   2 Cor 1:15-2:1 Sparing the Church 15 And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit —  16 to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea. 17 Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No? 18 But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us — by me, Silvanus, and Timothy — was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. 20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 23 Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. 24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.   NKJV