Looking at the classic "proof" text for the "once in grace always in grace" crowd: 1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. The Scriptures clearly tell us that the time will come when some Christians in the body of Christ will not endure sound doctrine. All of us ought to separate the precious from the vile, the truth from the error and sound doctrine from fables. We cannot delegate this responsibility to anybody else. To this end we have been freely given the written word of God that by the grace of God through faith in his name we might be lead into all truth through the Holy Spirit. I hope this series of meditations will help the word of God renew your mind and that you will be ready for the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. THE LORD’S SEAL

4.  THE LORD'S SEAL is Not an Agent of Force
 "Once in grace, always in grace" supporters
attempt to prove their doctrine from yet a
different standpoint by appealing to Bible verses
that refer to the sealing of the believer.

5.  Their favourite verse on this subject is found in the
book of Ephesians:
 Ephesians 4:30
 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye
are sealed unto the day of redemption.

6.  They declare with an air of confidence that the
seal guarantees a no-fall salvation.
 To them the Holy Spirit's seal is an iron curtain
surrounding the Christian that will not permit
even the most rebellious backslider to fall from
grace and perish; however, this position is
indefensible!

7.  Let’s Look at How the Bible Uses the Word
“Sealed”
 A study of the use of the word "sealed" in the
Bible will reveal that the Holy Spirit is not an agent
who will force Christians to remain in grace.

8. Here are some examples of how the word ‘seal’ is
used within the Scriptures:

9.  A seal is a sign to confirm or authenticate a
transaction:
 Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that
ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your
salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were
sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the
earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the
purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

10.  A person is sealed with God's Holy Spirit at the
moment of conversion.
 In the above verses, the sealing of the believer by the
Holy Spirit is called the "earnest of our inheritance."
 Ephesians 1:14 Which is the earnest of our
inheritance until the redemption of the purchased
possession, unto the praise of his glory.

11.  to give a token of a firm or serious intention.
 A down payment with the intention of completion
according to “the declared conditions”

12.  These determine the outcome
 An intention to complete providing the agreement
fulfills the subject to contract.
 In matters of the New Covenant the contract is
filled with “IF” clauses.

13.  When a person receives the Holy Spirit, he knows
he is truly saved.
 The word "seal" in this instance is somewhat like
the seal of a notary public.

14.  is given statutory powers to witness documents,
administer oaths.
 A notary public seals a contract to confirm its
authenticity.
 (More details in transcription notes see the link in the description)

15.  God Authenticates Our Salvation Experience
 God authenticates a person's salvation experience
by
 PLEDGING HIS SERIOUSNESS
 in the transaction by the seal of the Holy Spirit.

16.  1. To be saved is not just turning religious.
 2. To be saved is not just an emotional experience.
 3. To be saved is not using a type of psychological
crutch.
 4. Salvation is really of God.
 5. You may/can know that you are indeed saved.

17.  To Be Saved Is to Have Assurance from the Holy Spirit
 A person who has received God's Holy Spirit has a
"know-so salvation."
 Such a person has assurance from the Holy Spirit.
 Such a person has assurance from the written word of
God.
 You know you are saved

18.  The seal is a token of authentication;
 However, consider carefully the word "earnest" or
"sealed" – this does not imply being unconditionally
bound.
 A seal affixed to a contract/covenant does not
guarantee one of the parties involved will not break
the terms and conditions of the contract even leaving
the seal unbroken.

19.  A broken Seal indicates that the contents of the
covenant/contract may have been tampered with
and changed.
 The contract has many conditions some of which
do not come into bearing until the day of
redemption.

20.  The seal affirms the legitimacy of the identity of
the parties involved in the contract/covenant.

21.  A seal does not prevent the contract becoming
null and void but it is a visible indicator whether
the seal is broken or not.
 Implies an authentication by a third party
 That third party is the word of God

22.  PLACED ABOVE HIS NAME
 Psalms 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy
temple, and praise thy name for thy
lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast
magnified thy word above all thy name.

23.  Is a visible notation that matters have changed
 A Broken Seal, a Broken Contract implies that a
third party will oversee the correctness or
authenticity of the covenant and its terms and
conditions.

24.  In this case the third party is The Word of God
which God himself has placed above his own
name and bound himself to.
 The word of God authenticates the correctness of
the breaking of the seal in the breaking of the
covenant.

25.  but he is still obligated to the stipulations of the
contract
 Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own
house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the
confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto
the end.

26.  2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now he which stablisheth us
with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the
Spirit in our hearts.
 A seal is a mark or symbol that proves ownership.
 When a person is saved, God marks that individual
with His Holy Spirit

27.  A Christian is not sealed with a literal mark or
brand, but he has received the Holy Spirit.
 The Holy Spirit is God's seal.
 The person who has truly been saved will manifest
the evidences of salvation.

28.  The Seal Bears the Mark of a Changed Life
 The evidences of salvation are wrought by the
working of the Holy Spirit, according to the
written word of God, in the life of a believer and
is God's mark or seal of ownership.

29.  This mark identifies a person as one of God's sons
 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God
standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them
that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of
Christ depart from iniquity.
 2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in
the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the
doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

30.  This seal is not an unconditional guarantee
 Again, the word "seal" implies no unconditional
guarantee.
 There is not a single verse in the Bible that says
the Holy Spirit is God's padlock.

31.  A seal to Keep the Contents Pure
 The Holy Spirit is the Comforter sent from God to
keep the Christian pure
 Song of Solomon 4:12 A garden enclosed is my
sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain
sealed.

32.  a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
 The word "sealed", in this verse , could be
compared to the seal on a fruit jar.
 The seal on a fruit jar keeps the impurities out and
the contents pure.

33.  1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have
overcome them: because greater is he that is in
you, than he that is in the world.

34.  He will keep a person spiritually strong, morally
pure, and intellectually clean.
 In other words, He will keep the impurities out
and help the child of God to be "pure in heart."

35.  This still does not guarantee an unconditional
security.
 The Holy Spirit's ministry to the believer is
completely on a voluntary basis.
 He can only lead the Christian as the Christian
submits voluntarily to him.
 a person can still backslide in spite of the Holy
Spirit's objections.

36. an individual to remain pure.

37.  A broken seal is positive evidence that a violation
has been committed
 Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of
God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of
redemption.

38.  "Once in grace" supporters try to confidently quote
this verse as a promise to validate their doctrine of
unconditional salvation.
 It is, in truth, a warning that opposes their viewpoint.
 Notice, this verse is not written as a promise for
believers to claim.
 This verse is a warning for believers to heed.

39.  And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God,
whereby ye are sealed unto the day of
redemption.
 warning for believers to heed

40.  not only to authenticate, to mark, and to keep
pure; but it also serves the purpose of revealing a
violation if one is committed.

41.  When a woman finds a jar on the shelf of a store
and the seal is broken, the contents are judged as
contaminated and no good.

42.  It Is Possible to Despise the Influence of the Holy
Spirit
 The Bible says it is possible to despise the Holy
Spirit's influence
 Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin willfully after that we
have received the knowledge of the truth, there
remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

43.  This sin can only be committed by a person who was
once saved, "was sanctified"
 Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment,
suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath
trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted
the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was
sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite
unto the Spirit of grace?

44.  To count the blood of the covenant...an unholy
thing and do despite to the spirit of grace

45.  Ephesians 4:30 warns Christians not to risk this sin
by continually "grieving" God's Holy Spirit.
 Ephesians 4:30
 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye
are sealed unto the day of redemption.

46.  Christians are sealed "unto the day of redemption" at
conversion.
 Luke 21:27-28 And then shall they see the Son of man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And
when these things begin to come to pass, then look up,
and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
 Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which
have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan
within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the
redemption of our body.

47.  The Holy Spirit Lives in Us As the Earnest
 The Holy Spirit is sent to live in the Christian's
heart as God's earnest until Jesus comes to seal
the covenant of redemption

48.  19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth
for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the
creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but
by reason of him who hath subjected the same in
hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be
delivered from the bondage of corruption into the
glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we
know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth
in pain together until now.

49.  23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have
the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan
within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the
redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by
hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a
man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we
hope for that we see not, then do we with patience
wait for it.

50.  Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves
also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even
we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for
the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
 Consider “but ourselves also” and this wonderful
phrase “to wit.”

51.  This does not guarantee unconditional security.
 The Holy Ghost is God's here and now proof that
Jesus Christ will return to claim His people.
 However, the Holy Spirit's seal can be violated
and His influence quenched out of a believer's life

52.  “Quench Not the Spirit”
 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.

53.  “To Endure unto the End”?
 Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end,
the same shall be saved.
 Mark 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my
name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end,
the same shall be saved.
 If it were impossible for a person to fall from grace,
there would be no need to instruct Christians to
endure unto the end:

54.  Indeed Why the Need to Hope to the End?
 1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your
mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace
that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of
Jesus Christ;

55.  Why “By Patient Continuance in Well Doing”?
 Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance
in well doing seek for glory and honour and
immortality, eternal life:

56.  Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the
end, the same shall be saved.
 If the covenant is cast iron and unbreakable as far
as God is concerned.

57.  Many other verses emphasize this saving truth.
 The Holy Spirit is a heavenly companion for
Christians until Jesus returns in person.
 Nevertheless, those who do not live faithfully to
the LORD and extinguish the Holy Spirit's influence
out of their life will not be accepted when Jesus
returns

58.  Matthew 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise,
Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
 Matthew 25:11-12 Afterward came also the other
virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he
answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know
you not.

59.  Surely you are not going to rest on the false
assumption that these parables were written to
Israel and not to Christians from among the
Gentiles?

60. FIVE SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT

61.  Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in
heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost:
as your fathers did, so do ye.
 Spoken to religious but unbelievers, unsaved
people.

62.  Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of
God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of
redemption.
 Spoken to the saved believers concerning degrees
of backsliding

63.  1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
 An admonition written to to believers and the
followers of the Lord Jesus, the saved, the
redeemed.

64.  Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose
ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under
foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the
covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing,
and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
 Written to those who have received saving grace.
 (Unless you think that Hebrews does not apply to Gentile
Christians – oh dear – I have never been able to fathom the
logic or teaching of this particular fable)

65.  considered in 3 passages of the Scriptures
 Matthew 12:31-37
 Mark 3:28-30
 Luke 12:10

66.  Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and
blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the
blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be
forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a
word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him:
but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it
shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world,
neither in the world to come.

67.  33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good;
or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit
corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. 34 O
generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak
good things? for out of the abundance of the heart
the mouth speaketh.

68.  35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart
bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the
evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say
unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak,
they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy
words thou shalt be condemned.

69.  Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto
the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith
soever they shall blaspheme: 29 But he that shall
blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never
forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

70.  And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son
of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that
blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be
forgiven.

71.  There is no Scripture that states that being sealed
by the Holy Spirit will prevent someone
blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.
 Those who have completely quenched the Holy
Spirit are apostates and fallen from grace.

72.  Being sealed does represent an unbreakable
padlock or contract; it just affirms that the
covenant or contract is genuine and correctly
affixed.