Earnest

           My three occupations in my lifetime have all been of the type that require moving from one home to another. We began with the U. S. Navy and even though my duty stations was semi permanent, we moved several different times. Second, I worked for A. T. and T. Company which also would require you to move if you wanted to keep advancing in the company. Then, I went into the ministry in 1975 which also gave you more opportunities to move. At first, we had rented either an apartment or a small house and didn't really require much to get into and then to leave. There came a time, however, when we purchased our first home in Alexandria, Virginia. As we began the legal transactions, the rear estate agent mentioned that we would be required to put down what was called “earnest” money to show that we were serious about the house. We had $500.00 that was put down as “earnest” money for our first home. If we backed out of the deal, we would have lost the earnest money but we didn't and so it was credited to the account. The Apostle Paul gives us an extraordinary illustration in connection with “earnest” money. Ephesians 1:13-14 says, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

           We know by experience that the moment we become a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, we don't immediately go to heaven even though we have becomes citizens of heaven at that moment. We are still here on this earth living out our lives until that day that we will collect our “inheritance.” The word for “earnest” is one that is defined as “money which in purchases is given as a pledge or down payment that the full amount will subsequently be paid.” We have received a special “seal” which is our guarantee of the inheritance and that Seal is the Holy Spirit, Himself. Now, think for a moment about the inheritance that we will be receiving. If the Holy Spirit is just the Seal for that inheritance, what must the inheritance be like? How valuable is the inheritance if the Holy Spirit is the Seal for that inheritance. It is beyond what we have ever hoped to achieve. There is a hymn that begins, “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus.” What a true statement. I have often remarked about the works of the Holy Spirit the moment that you are saved and one of them is the “sealing” of the Holy Spirit as seen in this passage from God's Word. He also regenerates, indwells and baptizes us into the Body of Christ, and then seals us until the day that we move from this abode to the next. What a day that will be. In the meantime, you and I have a ministry to do for the Lord in the places that we are planted. As being Ambassadors for the King, we have a ministry that He has given to us as we seek to spread the Gospel message to others in the time that we have left. The word for “earnest” has another meaning that might help show what it means to us and it is the word, “engagement ring.” The word, arrabon, is a word that is used to signify a “pledge” such as an engagement right which shows your intent to marry the bride you have chosen. In light of the pledge that God that Father has given to us, we are secure in our salvation until that day that we are called home. Praise God today for the “earnest” of the inheritance, the Holy Spirit Himself.