Do you need a promise? The Word of God is FULL of promises and all of them are TRUE. You can trust in the Word that Jesus left with us, all of it inspired by God. Today, we will talk about one of those important promises.
In Ephesians the first chapter, Paul the apostle is addressing the church at Ephesus, but it applies to us today as well. It goes something like this:
“That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” Ephesians 1:10-12.
I love what Paul is saying here…we have obtained an inheritance in Jesus Christ, and at the right time He will bring everything together under His authority-everything in heaven and on earth.
Verse twelve says that “…we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” The Jews are the ones who first trusted in Christ. It was His purpose that they would bring Him glory and honor.
But here is the good part. “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise…” Ephesians 1:13 NKJV.
Now Paul is talking about you and me, the Gentiles. Those that have been “grafted in”!
The NLT says it like this: “And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.”
Now, Paul says something that took me years to understand, or for it to really soak in.
“Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:14.
The NIV says the Holy Spirit is a “DEPOSIT, guaranteeing our inheritance, until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of His glory.”
I can understand that.
The Holy Ghost is earnest money!
He has given us a guarantee that He will come back for us to redeem us unto Himself; a down payment on His inheritance!
We are that inheritance friend…What hope!
Aren’t you thankful for the Comforter? If you have been baptized in His precious name and filled with the Holy Spirit, according to the scripture, then you have that hope of redemption.
Look up! That day is drawing near. The signs are all around us. “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28.
It is a promise!
Sharing with Making Your Home Sing, Mama Moments Monday, Modest Monday, Titus 2 Tuesday, Testimony Tuesday
Thank you for the encouragement today–I love the gift of the Holy Spirit, but I’ve never really considered the point you bring up–that his presence is like ernest money. Your neighbor at Testimony Tuesday today :).
I have never really thought of the Holy Spirit in that way before, as earnest money or a deposit. Thank you for bringing this passage to life for me in a new way today, Nannette!