MERRY Wednesday BY PARRIS BAILEY-
“Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Eph.1:14
Vincent describes the word “earnest” (arrabon) as “caution-money” deposited by a purchaser in pledge of full payment. The Holy Spirit, indwelling the believer, is God’s earnest money, guaranteeing to him the future glorification of his body.”
The Word of God becomes our ultimate path to freedom. I can either be ruled everyday by “life” and by what I see or throw myself into the Word of God and see what God sees. Bad things will happen, emotions will come and go but again His Word stands forever. God sealed His love into our hearts. He gave the Holy Spirit as the first installment and you can bet I can’t wait for more installments! The believer is no longer enslaved to sin, no longer enslaved to self and God gives us a foretaste, if you will, that there is so much more to come. I guess you could say “Subsequent installments will follow!” When we become born-again a living hope is placed within us- Paul says, “For in hope we are saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?”(Romans 8:24) We can, in the midst of hostility, hurt, disasters and distress, live with this living hope within our soul because of our arrabon, the Holy Spirit. I always love to say, you are not floating out in outer space non-existent to our Heavenly Father, without purpose and hope. There has been a huge transaction in heaven that gives the Holy Spirit as a pledge to help us through life’s maze of struggles. You are worth something huge in the eyes of God.
Matthew Poole says, “Holy Spirit comes by an overpowering light shining into the soul, and filling it with assurance of its interest in Christ and heaven, enabling a man to discern that image of God in his soul, which the Spirit bears witness to his interest in the inheritance, and assures him of it.” This “arrabon” ensures us of ownership to Christ, security in Christ and there is a finished transaction to finish the deal. This seal which is the Holy Spirit distinguishes between “the authentic and things that are not”. (Geneva Bible)
I pray you will continue to let this Holy Ghost transaction carry out this work in you to the praise of His glory. There are more installments ahead! We are His now purchased possession and He isn’t too keen on letting us go. My job is to cooperate with this precious “takeover” and live the rest of my life according to the plan and will of God. Not endless wondering, not trying to be a Christian undercover, or come up with ways to compromise the Word of God to please myself. I am His and there is so much more to come!