I started reading in Ephesians 1 and came across one of my favorite verses. In light of the fact that we are buying an earthly house the truth of the verse means even more to me now that it has before.
“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.” Ephesians 1:22-23
I love that word earnest. It means something of value given by a buyer to a seller to bind a bargain or a token of what is to come.
Just the other day, my husband had to pay earnest money so that the seller would know we were serious about buying his house. It has taken us years to save the money to be able to buy a house, and the earnest money we paid was a result of years of sacrifice and patience on our part. That sacrifice is nothing in comparison to the earnest that Jesus paid to buy us back from our sinful, corrupt nature! He gives US (the sinful, saved ones) the Holy Spirit as a token of what is to come “until the redemption of the purchased possession." We have been purchased by Him. The earnest money is the Holy Spirit which He paid by sacrificing HIS OWN LIFE on the cross.
In March, we will take possession of our earthly home and enjoy living in it and serving others in it. It will take years to pay off what remains of that house debt. But I have a greater possession, bought with a greater price already promised to me in heaven. I didn’t have to sacrifice for it. The earnest has been paid, the debt is already forgiven, and I didn’t have to do a thing for it. I am so thankful to the Lord for loving me that much. I trust that these verses will be an encouragement to you, also.
Just the other day, my husband had to pay earnest money so that the seller would know we were serious about buying his house. It has taken us years to save the money to be able to buy a house, and the earnest money we paid was a result of years of sacrifice and patience on our part. That sacrifice is nothing in comparison to the earnest that Jesus paid to buy us back from our sinful, corrupt nature! He gives US (the sinful, saved ones) the Holy Spirit as a token of what is to come “until the redemption of the purchased possession." We have been purchased by Him. The earnest money is the Holy Spirit which He paid by sacrificing HIS OWN LIFE on the cross.
In March, we will take possession of our earthly home and enjoy living in it and serving others in it. It will take years to pay off what remains of that house debt. But I have a greater possession, bought with a greater price already promised to me in heaven. I didn’t have to sacrifice for it. The earnest has been paid, the debt is already forgiven, and I didn’t have to do a thing for it. I am so thankful to the Lord for loving me that much. I trust that these verses will be an encouragement to you, also.
