Ephesians 1:13-14
Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory.
Yesterday, we established the importance of making God the bedrock of our identity. Let’s go further.
In general, we all look to two different sources for the affirmation of our value: how we feel about ourselves, and what others say about us. Neither of these is a reliable foundation from which to live confident and secure. Understanding God’s value of us changes everything.
Here, Paul uses bedrock terms. The Greek word is arrabon: a deposit given as a guarantee of full payment to come. This was common Greek business terminology that understood a deposit to mean: 1) a contractual obligation has been established, and 2) full payment is guaranteed. The purchaser was fully responsible for the fulfillment of the agreement.
God is the Purchaser of our spirit, soul, and body through Christ on the cross. He valued us so much that He purchased us in the blood of His Son and placed a guarantee of His love – a precious and valuable security deposit of His Spirit securing our future.
Your future is not guaranteed by your righteousness, nor is it “unguaranteed” by your humanness. It is the Spirit that guarantees your future in Christ Jesus. Be secure in God!
We have something that Daniel never had. We have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Be sure! Be confident! Be secure in Him to “the praise of His glory.”
Prayer:
Father, thank You for securing our lives and guaranteeing our salvation through Your Holy Spirit. We acknowledge the presence of Your Spirit and rest in the future Your Spirit guarantees. Heal our insecurities. Strengthen us to receive Your love and steady our souls, in Jesus’ name!