2 Corinthians 1:21-24
21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 23 Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. 24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.
21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 23 Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. 24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.
God’s calling and enabling in Christ is assured by the Holy Spirit. He lives in us, marks us forever as His own, and assures all the promise of God are ‘yes’ and will be so (the amen). This means we cannot ever become not God’s in Christ after He calls and sets His seal on us and His abiding presence in us. We cannot lose what we did not earn, and God promises to keep us, even marking us with the spiritual signet ring of our Lord who owns us. We also see here how ministry is never about us owning others or ruling over their faith, but working together with each other to sharpen and equip as God sanctifies each one. We all stand individually before our Lord, yet use our gifts and callings to minister together in the faith that is God-given.
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