Marsha's Musings: The Seal of God's Firm Foundation

But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19 ESV)

What a comfort to know that The Lord knows those who are his!   And conversely, if we are His we will hear His voice!

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (John 10:27 NKJV)

There also comes a responsibility with being one of the Lord's.  We are commanded to depart from iniquity (sin). We know that we will never be perfect this side of heaven, so this departing from sin is an on-going battle that we must engage in.  It's the process of sanctification.  This is different than justification.  Justification is what makes us the Lord's.  That has already happened.  Sanctification is the process maturing as a child of God.

Many get messed up here by trying to put sanctification in front of justifcation.  They busy themselves with good works and trying to be righteous with a view to earning their justifcation.  But this is impossible. Only the righteousness of Jesus Christ can satisfy the wrath of God against sinners.  They must clothe themselves with Christ's righteousness and then God will work through the Holy Spirit to bring about sanctification. 

"The Lord knows those who are his"...we are his through justifcation by His righteousness.

"Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity"...we begin the process of sanctification after we have been justified.

These two things, The Lord knows those who are his and they depart from iniquity, are the seal (proof) of God's firm foundation.