SCRIPTURE: Ephesians (NIV) 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
14 who is a deposit guaranteeing (KJV the earnest) our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
OBSERVATION: It is customary in the USA when making an offer to purchase a house, to give earnest money, which is a deposit guaranteeing that the rest will be coming, if the offer is accepted.
It would be proper for God to require from us a down payment of some type on our heavenly inheritance. But verse 14 says that God gives such a deposit to us!!!
And as amazing as that thought is, even more amazing is what that deposit is—the deposit is the Holy Spirit!!! Wow!!!
APPLICATION: That God has kept His promise to send the Holy Spirit to live in me here is this world is proof that He will keep the other promises concerning my heavenly future.
Entrance into heaven is based only on my trusting the sacrifice of Jesus to pay for my sins. But my usefulness to God in heaven will be in accordance with my usefulness to God here. Faithfulness on earth will be richly rewarded in heaven.
This is where the Holy Spirit has such a great part in the lives of believers. His presence empowers and energizes us to be active believers, living the truth found in the Bible. His gifts (1Corinthians 12) raise our ministry level far above our human capabilities.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit! May He move freely in my life and bring you much glory. Amen
Pastor Leon
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