Picture this: A weathered parchment scroll, sealed with a blue emblem on which imprinted initials are clearly legible, lies in front of you. Mindful that the scroll could be damaged, you carefully break the seal and unroll it slowly. While unrolling, you see how written black ornamental letters, form words line by line and reveal a message. Suddenly the document lies open in front of you. You read: “The bearer of this document has already received a partial bequeathment. In due time, he will receive the rest of his inheritance. This document serves as a guarantee.” The letter ends with the same blue emblem and initials with which it was sealed.

 

This fictional letter illustrates that your faith in Christ puts certainties in place.

 

The Holy Spirit is our Seal: “Having believed (in Christ), you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians.1:13)

 

Therefore, you can know without a shadow of a doubt, that you “belong” – you are a child of God! And for this reason, also an heir. He is also the seal of God’s promise that He will do everything he promised. That includes the day of redemption when you will receive eternal life. But until then: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)

 

The Holy Spirit is also our Guarantee: “The Holy Spirit who is a deposit, guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession." (Ephesians 1:14)

 

“Guarantee” (Gr. arrabon) is business terminology, referring to an advanced deposit, as first payment on a bought item. It serves as a guarantee that by the last payment, the bought item will completely be the property of that person. God is so serious about us that He gives the Holy Spirit to us as a guarantee (arrabon) of the future bliss and eventual salvation that awaits us in heaven. You can rest assured: words from the mouth of God are always his “Yes” and “Amen”.

 

The Life Application Bible (note p2131) explains it as follows: “The presence of the Holy Spirit in us demonstrates the genuineness of our faith, proves that we are God’s children, and secures eternal life for us. His power works in us to transform us now, and what we experience now is a taste of the total change we will experience in eternity.”

 

Prayer: Father, my spirit is overjoyed at the greatness and loving work of the Holy Spirit in my life. May I humbly ask that his presence will continually shrink my “I”, my “Me”, so that my spirit and heart will only be Your dwelling place. Amen