“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” (Eph. 1:13-1413In 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, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13‑14)).
Suppose you decided to buy a piece of property. It is a normal practice that the buyer puts down earnest money toward the sale before the sale is consummated. This down payment is the proof of the buyer’s sincerity and his intention to complete the purchase. Normally earnest money is but a small portion of the agreed-on purchase price. But, still, it proves the reality of the buyer’s purpose to complete the purchase. Sometimes, however, the buyer cannot, for various reasons, complete the sale. Usually he will lose the earnest money he put down, and, of course, he does not buy the property after all.
The Spirit of God indwells each one who has believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work at Calvary. That sealing is the proof that someday we will inherit with Christ in glory all that is His. He has bought us, and the Spirit is the earnest of that purchase.
But now suppose that a buyer purchases a piece of property and, as earnest money, puts down twice as much as the agreed purchase price. “Ah,” you say, “surely there can be not the smallest doubt of the intentions of the buyer. He has put down twice as much money as the property is worth. No one can doubt that he intends to make good his promise to purchase the property.”
Think what our loving God has given as the earnest of our inheritance! The Spirit of God Himself. Could there be any doubt of our salvation? Can any doubt possibly remain concerning the blessings that are ours in Christ? Should a redeemed saint of God allow the enemy of our souls to plant seeds of doubt regarding the love, goodness and faithfulness of God? What a blessed and sure hope is ours in our Lord Jesus Christ!
G. H. Hayhoe (adapted)