Oreos and the Holy Spirit posted by jwatson on Jan 26, 2016

I’m impressed by small things done with excellence.  PLEASE! … do not interpret small as unimportant.  In fact, if you want to irritate me, use the phrase “Don’t sweat the small stuff” in my presence.  Also, I am always on the lookout for some kind of parabolic connection between small things in everyday life and the spiritual side of our existence.

So, with this slightly unusual introduction, I draw your attention to the package of Oreos I opened a few minutes ago for my evening snack.  I have always been impressed with the simple, and very effective, re-sealing mechanism on an Oreo package.  I can go back to that package a month later and the Oreos contained therein are fresh.  The freshness is sealed in while things like air and humidity are sealed out.

An effective seal keeps the good stuff in…keeps the bad stuff out.

Our Lord has provided effective “sealing” in for spiritual lives.  “In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13).

“Sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”  What a glorious provision from the Lord!  At the moment you heard the Gospel and believed in Jesus, this sealing took place.  The design of this seal is to keep the good stuff in and the bad stuff out.

Now, back to my Oreos.  When I place the opened and re-sealed package back in the pantry, I do have an important role.  It is up to me to make sure the seal is without wrinkles and gaps.

I also have an important role in the sealing provided by the Holy Spirit.  Paul uses a couple of compelling statements regarding our role:

• And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).
• Do not quench the Spirit  (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

Grieving and quenching creates wrinkles and gaps in the sealing of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Once again, back to my Oreos.  If I have wrinkles and gaps in the seal, I will know when, three weeks later, I bite into an Oreo and it is stale. Oh, they are Oreos all right, but who wants a stale Oreo.  I really like Oreos.  I really dislike stale Oreos.

The same principle applies to being sealed by the Spirit.  Through grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit, wrinkles and gaps are created in the seal.  Oh, we are still Christians, but we are “stale” Christians.

Christians are commanded to do many things out of joyful obedience to Christ.  I can almost guarantee that “stale” Christians will not be actively sharing the Gospel with people around them.  While training and tools are very useful in becoming equipped to be an active witness for Christ, this matter of “spiritual freshness” that comes from the sealing of the Holy Spirit is of highest priority.

“Lord, I need Your protection provided by the sealing of the Holy Spirit.  I confess that I have attitudes and actions that grieve and quench the Spirit in my life.   Please forgive me.  I repent and ask you for the power and strength to turn away form them.  Lord, use me as an active witness for my Savior, thereby bringing glory to You.  In Christ’s Name.  Amen.