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2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Now we have come to Paul's second letter to the church at Corinth.  Apparently, other leaders have risen up to oppose Paul and he is quite distressed.  In his first letter, Paul provides a strong rebuke of the Corinthians about their worldly aspirations, their arrogance, and their shallow view of Christian leadership.  This didn't serve to endear Paul to the influencers in the Corinthian church.  In this second letter, Paul is attempting to restore his relationship with the church while also offering them wise counsel and not back down from previous statements.

In our focus verses for today, Paul is reminding the Corinthians of God's faithful promises. God has anointed us and put his seal on us.  From antiquity to present times, a seal indicates ownership.  Our bodies are not our own but belong to God.  And God has put his Holy Spirit within our hearts as a deposit, or a guarantee, of what is to come.  The promise is that we will be with Jesus at the resurrection and that we will continue to be made into his likeness in the meantime. 

How do we know that the Holy Spirit is living within us?  How do we know that we belong to God?  Think back to your own childhood.  How did you know that you belonged to your earthly parents? Besides having the same name, there is an awareness and even a confidence that they are your parents and you are their child.  This is obviously an imperfect example because while some earthly parents are responsible, protective, and loving, others are not.  But we can know that God our Father is faithful, trustworthy, protective, and loving. 

Let's pray...Almighty Father, Thank you for giving us the assurance of being with you someday.  Thank you for putting your Spirit into our hearts.  I belong to you, totally and completely.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.