EXTRACT

It is very easy for us to fall into routine. What we are saying would have in view to produce among us a living state, answering to our public confession of the Lord Jesus. This thought must accompany that of the “seal of the living God”, which refers to the Holy Spirit in us.

There are three things which are said of the Holy Spirit in the believer: the believer is anointed, he is sealed and he has received the earnest of the Spirit in his heart; so that we are manifested as belonging to God if we have the seal of God. The anointing is in view of service; it points to dignity. The earnest of the Spirit in our hearts is our portion. We pass through this world to serve God, and belonging to God we cannot belong to any society.

When the seal of the living God is spoken of, it is in view of the mark of the beast. They are sealed “upon their foreheads”. “Hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, until we shall have sealed the bondmen of our God upon their foreheads”. Those who are bondmen are at God’s disposal for His service. We cannot righteously belong to another master. In possessing the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts we have the means of constant enjoyment.

J. Taylor (Vol. 38, pp.21, 22)

Correction: In the November issue. No. 264, page 16, line 20 should read—‘As orphans we would feel we cannot go on without Him’.

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