John 3:31-36 He that comes from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth… I. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SEAL. The seal is one of the old legal forms that still survives, and gives a peculiar character to documents on which it is stamped. Let us note some of its characteristics. 1. As a necessity. In many cases an instrument without a seal is of none effect. The lawyer may draw up a will with the utmost care, but until the seal is affixed to the will the lawyer's skill and the legator's resolve count for nothing. So one may hear the gospel preached, but that is not sufficient. He must set to his seal the testimony — receive it, believe it, live in accordance with it. 2. As a personal distinction. In the old times few men knew how to write even their own names. They could do no more than make their mark, which was easily counterfeited; therefore each man who had occasion to use it, if possible possessed his own seal. Joseph was placed in charge of the king's seal, and wherever he affixed it, it carried all the king's authority with it. So religion is an intensely personal matter. Each must settle the great question of salvation for himself. No one can accept Christ for me. I must set to my seal that God is true. 3. As a finality. The ancient seal was often used to denote the conclusion of a matter. Daniel was told to seal up the prophecies — implying that they were finished. He that accepts Christ, accepts Him for all time. We enter into God's service, not for a few years, not merely for a lifetime, but for eternity. "There is no discharge in that war." We have set to our seal that God is true, once for all. II. THE NATURE OF THE TESTIMONY. It is — 1. An indictment. God charges us with violation of His law, and we are to plead guilty or not guilty. If we deny our guilt we reject the very first proposition with which the Saviour comes to us. Shall any one dare to do this? Nicodemus thought he had kept the law, but the Saviour told him that he must be born again, and Paul felt this when he wrote (Romans 7:9), "I was alive without the law once; but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died." 2. Pardon. After the American civil war, when a general amnesty was offered, each man, to profit by the act, was required first to take the oath of allegiance. We are rebels against God; from Him alone can we look for pardon. Through Christ it is offered to every one, but it must be accepted before it becomes effective. We must set to our seal this testimony of pardon — take the oath of allegiance to God's government. 3. A testament. If property comes into my possession by will, it is necessary that my name and a seal be affixed to the will before the properly is at my disposal. The testimony of the gospel is that God has made a testament for us. He not only grants us pardon, but peace and joy in this life, and in the world to come life eternal. These are offered to each of us freely; but we must set our seal to the testimony by accepting it in faith. (G. H. Smith.) Parallel Verses KJV: He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. |
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