Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV) In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
The aroma of blended sugar, butter, milk and vanilla saturated the air of the candy store in downtown Charleston and wafted into the street which drew me inside. I noticed the samples of homemade Praline candy that the employee provided to customers. Once I tasted the glorious sweetness too, I knew that I wanted more brown sugar gold! That night, I basked in the presence of a Praline package!
As believers in Jesus, we have been given a taste of heaven’s glory and the eternal peace of being with Jesus. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit which guarantees that we belong to God throughout our earthly lives and in heaven! The peace and joy that are provided now in our hearts is just a taste of what is to come in eternity.
Paul says that the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance. This guarantee is in reference to the earnest money or down payment that the Holy Spirit provides to us now on earth with the hope of heaven our full payment! In ancient Greek commercial transactions, a down payment provided proof that the buyer would provide the rest of the purchase price to secure a legal claim. When we think about the deposit that the Holy Spirit guarantees once we believe in Jesus, our hearts overflow with hope in grasping how wide, long, high and deep that the love of Christ is (Ephesians 3:18) The Holy Spirit is given now on earth as a down payment for us but is just a taste of what is yet to come. God gives us the Holy Spirit now not just guaranteeing our glorious inheritance in heaven but in actually giving us a taste of heaven by providing increasing peace and joy while we are on Earth.
Paul’s words in Ephesians 1:13 also give a relatable picture of how a seal guarantees ownership. Ephesus, at the time Paul would have traveled there, was a port city where ships would deliver cargo wrapped and sealed from other cities. If someone purchased goods and had them delivered to Ephesus by boat, the dock workers would see the seal of the owner and immediately know to whom the cargo belonged. In the heart of a believer, the seal of the Holy Spirit signifies that we belong to God, have been adopted into his family and are filled with the fullness of God. This seal of the Holy Spirit guarantees our inheritance forever!
The Holy Spirit placed a seal on you once you believed in Jesus and gave you the benefits of being in His family. You have a guaranteed inheritance for the future and for now. You have a taste of the fullness of God with more to come in heaven. The more you taste from reading the Bible, praying and worshiping, you will keep wanting more of His truth, of His peace, of His joy.
Beloved, we are redeemed completely now, but will one day receive our eternal inheritance. We rejoice over the guarantee that the Holy Spirit has provided for our inheritance for eternity in heaven and is giving us glimpses of His glory now.
The taste of God’s glorious guarantee through the Holy Spirit encourages us to know, love, honor and share Him.
How is the guarantee of the Holy Spirit affecting you?
The Holy Spirit creates a longing in us for what He can provide now and in the future. In the believer’s heart, the Holy Spirit plants elements of love, of His power and of His blessing allowing us to expect his gifts. We are prone to forget our reward in heaven and grow tired of the struggle, but God has entrusted us with the Holy Spirit. He will help us live in the joy that he has provided now and later in heaven. The rest of the world should be able to take note that we belong to God.
I am so glad that I heard “the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation” (Ephesians 1:13) and believed in Jesus. Not only have my sins been forgiven by Jesus, but I have His Spirit living in me. God’s presence filled the tabernacle and temple in the Old Testament (Leviticus 26:11, Numbers 14:10) and now His presence fills us as temples of the living God (1 Corinthians 3:16. As Believers in Jesus, it is such a blessing to know that the Holy Spirit lives in us and is producing the attributes known as Fruit of the Spirit in our lives. (Galatians 5:22 – 23)
One day, we will acquire possession of our inheritance in heaven. For now, I’m thankful for the Holy Spirit’s guarantee, His down payment for us. The peace and joy that come from knowing Jesus comforts me in these uncertain days. I can count on Him to provide all that I need while on Earth through the help of the Holy Spirit. Once I get to heaven, the joy of forever praising God and being with him eternally will happen.
Have you tasted of heaven’s glory? I invite you to testify of your salvation to let others know of the hope you have in Jesus. If you don’t know Jesus, you can. Bow your heart and pray. Tell Him that you believe in Him and want Him to live in your heart. When you ask, He is faithful to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The Holy Spirit will do the sealing and the guaranteeing of your inheritance in heaven while giving you His help now.