Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him God the Father has set His seal.”

— John 6:27

21 Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him—in keeping with the truth that is in Jesus

22 to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 

23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,

24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

— Ephesians 4:21-24

13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.

— Ephesians 1:13-14

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace and joy from Christ to you!

A consistent theme throughout the Scripture is replacing this world’s passing pleasures with the Lord’s enduring blessings. God desires for His people to live by an entirely different set of values  and priorities. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, our desires gradually change from worldly pursuits to seeking God. An eternal perspective overrules the temporary, fleeting options of the world. It is a process of “putting off” the old and “putting on” the new. We will not put clean, new clothes on over old, dirty clothes.  In our lives we need to “put off” our efforts, energy and ambitions that seek things that will spoil and “put on” eternal satisfaction in Christ.

God places within every human being a spiritual hunger that He uniquely satisfies. We all long for purpose and meaning that surpasses our ordinary everyday human existence. Only Jesus can fulfill this eternal longing. God the Father has placed His seal of approval on Jesus. God uniquely  “sealed” Jesus as the source of eternal life for the world. We receive this amazing gift by grace from the hand of Jesus, God’s Son. We are also sealed by the Holy Spirit, making our salvation sure. Praise God that He has provided believers Jesus—the greatest treasure for life and eternity.