The Ballestero Blog

Once The Seal Is Broken

Jams and jellies are a necessity in my home. I love them. I like jam on toast, and a big gob on each half of my biscuit. I even have been known to spread jam on my pancakes. I have many memories of my mother making dozens of jars of preserves and jellies each year. My daughter, Marisa Hartzell carries on the family tradition and her jams and jellies taste every bit as wonderful as my Mother’s. I am blessed.

One common practice in my Mom’s canning was the use of paraffin. Once the jam in the jar was ready, she poured melted paraffin on top of the jam. The paraffin would make a seal about a quarter of an inch thick or more.  When the wax was cool and the jar sealed, a lid was tightly screwed into place.

Later, when we needed jam, the paraffin seal was broken.  The contents of the jar immediately became subject to spoiling if not treated refrigerated properly. The seal was broken and could not be put back into place.

Kerr came out with a special two-part lid for the home-canner. When the contents of the jars are still hot, the rims were wiped clean, and flat Kerr lids were put into place.

As the jar cools, a vacuum is created and the lid is sucked tight onto the rim. The center of the lid is sunken; showing that the seal was successful. Tapping on the lid strikes a musical note only if sealed correctly.

Once the lid is pried off, safe food measures must be immediately taken because the seal cannot be put back into place. Food spoilage is a danger.

Eighteen wheel big rigs are often seen pulling a trailer with a metal seal or seals in the door latch. Something very important and valuable is inside. The owner is worried, that’s why he placed a seal upon the door. Every trucker knows that if that seal is broken, foul play is suspected. It can’t be restored. The seal is broken. Answers will be demanded. Explanations are in order and the contents of the whole trailer are subject to inventory.

What about the seal between the saint and their pastor?

Charlie was a sinner. He came to church, repented, got baptized and was filled with the Holy Ghost. Bro. Charlie did wonderful for 18 years. Then one day his son Josh rebelled and sinned. It caused quite a stir in the church. Several young people were involved. It became an issue that couldn’t be ignored or allow to continue. The pastor had to respond.

Bro. Charlie wasn’t happy with the pastor’s response to his son’s sinning in his preaching or in the counseling sessions. He got offended. He protected his son from the pulpit and eventually told his friends he wasn’t coming back. He didn’t, he changed churches.

In the next 15 years, Bro. Charlie went to at least eight different churches in almost that many states. He still feels saved, so does his son. His boy is now married to a Charismatic woman who cut her hair, wears slacks, and has lots of jewelry.  She also talks in tongues.

Charlie wouldn’t take correction. He wouldn’t allow Josh to be corrected. He allowed the seal to be broken between himself and the man of God. Consequently, he has spent many years taking his soul in his own hands, and drifting from church to church. If he doesn’t like the pastor’s stand, on an issue, he moves on. The seal of a Pastor-Saint relationship is permanently missing in his heart.. He broke the seal. Not only him, but also his son has experienced the spoilage that only comes with broken seals.

Don’t ever allow the seal to be broken between you and your man of God. It may never be restored.

Jude 13 referred to those with broken seals as: ‘wandering stars.’

Never let the old flesh bring separation between your pastor and yourself. It is impossible to go back to a life of innocence. It’s impossible to replace that seal. Once you learn how to take your soul in your own hands and make your own life decisions, you can’t be pastored anymore.

Is your seal in place?