Ephesians 1:12-14 KJV 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 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, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Paul often called himself enslaved to Christ but he knew he was a son of God and an a joint heir with Jesus. The terms often portrays language of the day and time not familiar to us. Yet the truth being it still fits for our time period as well. To be enslaved would mean one is sold into bondage, but no we are not sold into bondage but sold into freedom through Christ. For example the word of God let the children of Israel free from bondage of the Pharaoh, yet almost recapture to be enslaved. No time in history did slavery begin with money but with entrapment of some sort. No one walks up to platform to be sold freely. No one ever asked to be sold, they ask to be set free. Yet through history some people set free those caught in slavery or caught in bondage. A price for freedom was often meet to be set free. God allowed man to be entangled in the nets of bondage from the first sin. Yet He never plan to leave us in the net of bondage. Freedom from sin comes with the price of the word of God going forth, with Christ shed blood on Calvary, and the price of the lives of those that witness for Jesus. We can not deny the cost of freedom from sin. We are purchased with the blood of Christ. Without the blood pouring out our sin could not and would not be forgiven. The question is if God's word alone could set the captives free from Egypt why then did price have to be paid for sin. Jesus went about teaching about who God, himself and the HOly Spirit was. The price for doing so was his death. There is always someone even religious leaders that will want someone that seems in opposition dead, or gone away with. The Pharisees of Jesus day could not entrap him. The soldiers could not arrest him, without God's premission. Read the account in John 18 of the arrest of Jesus when the soldiers fell backwards. God makes it clear you can't touch his Son without him allowing it. The sin of crucifying Jesus could not be forgiven without Christ saying forgive them Father, Forgiveness coming from Christ's own mouth. What then if we given forgiveness upon Christ death, then we must also receive the forgiveness for causing his death, because of not only the sin of crucifixion but all sin. The sin of humanity rest on our shoulders individually but never corporately. Only Christ takes on our sin corporately. The crucifixion being payment for the sin. and forgiveness setting us free not to be enslaved any longer to the yoke of the law of sin. What then if the forgiveness did not send the wrath of God that day, but revolution of a revival, no it did not immediately set a revival across the region or world. The resurrection did, but it started slowly and spread like a wild fire. Forty days Christ minister on the earth after his resurrection. He spent time with his followers. over 500 people seen him. Yet the revival was slow spreading. Perhaps because Christ knew his time with his disciples would be short. No doubt he was explain things he said about the resurrection to them and telling of things to come. Yet He knew he had to go away so God the Holy Spirit could come and empower them to minister to the world. The Holy Spirit would place a seal on the believer. Why does God need a seal. God does not need a seal, the seal is to tell the devil who you are. He knows to flee. The devil already lost with your heart, you are purchased and a child of God on the day of orignal salvation. Yet there may of been time of running away from God and always time of running towards God. That seal is important it can not and will not be broken. No man can see the seal, but another Christian can know if you are one of God's children. Your actions and your work testify who child you are, but also in the spirit we know these things, That same Spirit that let's you know someone is seeking salvation. It that same Spirit that reminds you that you are his child. There are things God allows to happen to us for his purpose, but God desire good things for his children. How many times was Paul beaten for preaching. Yet he still ran the race toward God. Point being sometimes hardship come, and sometimes hardships is part of living. What happens to the those that preach and testify of God is not the same for everyone. Some see pathways made so straight and beautiful and others find road hard and long because of their calling. In truth it does not seem just, but the reward is knowing we are already bought by Christ blood and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Look for God's love in the storm. Steven was stoned but as he was being stone he saw heavens open. Story in Acts 7. Stephen died but he did not die without the hope of Christ. The hope of eternal salvation. Dear Heavenly Father remind us of your hope and grace that we are bought and set free, sealed by your Spirit and forgiven by Christ sacrifice that bought us salvation. In Jesus precious name, Amen. Continual Scripture Study for Devotion: 1 Peter 1:18-25 KJV 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. http://www.turtle30cshell.com