“who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:14 NKJV
One question often pondered by many professing Christians is, “am I sure that I am 100% saved?” “Is there really nothing more that I need to do to be sure that I am saved and that God is pleased with me?”
Interestingly, we also desire the peace and security of an assurance in other areas of our lives. For instance, parties to a contract would usually prefer to have it written down, signed and witnessed as a guarantee that the contractual obligations will be performed.
Over the course of the week, we have discussed the workings of the Holy Spirit in our salvation; in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and in our adoption as children of God. There is yet another reason our Father gave us the Holy Spirit.
In His glorious wisdom, faithful love and meticulous intentionality towards us, He gave us His Spirit as a guarantee (an assurance) that He will give us the inheritance He promised (Ephesians 1:14).
In salvation, our sins have been forgiven, we have been set free from the bondage of sin and we have been united with God through the finished work of Jesus Christ. These are not things that are seen or felt, hence we tend to have moments of doubts about the reality of it. However, our walk with God is hinged on faith and not sight or feelings.
God gives us His Spirit to assure us that we now belong to Him. Apostle John says, “And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in Him and He in us”. (1 John 4:13 NLT).
Just as the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord, which had been prophesied, are facts of history, so it is that the reception of the promise of the Holy Spirit will become a fact of history to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. We anchor our faith on this fact.
Our Father is aware of the possibilities of our doubts. Jesus, for instance, was aware of the doubts some of his disciples would have about the fact of His resurrection. He appeared to them often to assure them that the work He said He would do has been done and confirmed by His resurrection.
Hence, leaving no stone unturned, He gave us His Spirit who bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:16) so that we can be convinced of the permanence of our salvation at the very core of our being.
Dear believer, after you believed in Jesus Christ, God has identified you as His own by placing the Holy Spirit in your heart as the first instalment that guarantees everything He has promised you (2 Corinthians 1:22).
Put your confidence in the Holy Spirit and rejoice always in the assurance of your salvation in Christ Jesus!
Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 18