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 1:13 & 14  KJV

A comparative translation from the ESV says: In him (Jesus Christ) you (believers) also,……..were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,…

The word translated as earnest in the KJV is translated as guarantee in the ESV.   Both refer to a pledge or down payment.

The American Heritage Dictionary says that earnest refers to; money paid in advance as part payment to bind a contract or bargain (also called earnest money).  It is also defined  as; a token of something to come; a promise or assurance.

According to WE Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, the word for earnest in the Greek is arrabon.  Originally this word referred to money deposited by the purchaser and forfeited if the purchase was not completed.  It came to denote a pledge or earnest of any sort; in the NT it is used only of that which is assured by God to believers; it is said of the Holy Spirit as the Divine pledge of all their future blessedness.  See also II Corinthians 5:5.

The KJV  says; ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance.  The same passage in the ESV says; you also……. were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance.

The KJV grammar uses the word which to define the holy Spirit of promise as the earnest of our inheritance.  The Holy Spirit is not an object, power, or influence.  The Holy Spirit is a person and should be properly defined as He, who is the earnest of our inheritance.  The ESV correctly describes the Holy Spirit as He, who is the  guarantee of our inheritance.

 Although this passage emphasizes an inheritance which we regard as yet future, we have the Holy Spirit from the moment we receive Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour (Romans 8:9).  That means that  benefits of our inheritance are available to us the moment we believe.  Our inheritance begins when we are saved, with full benefits when we step into glory.

The Holy Spirit is God.  It is God who is the guarantee of our inheritance.  God will never default on His purchase.

Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.  I Corinthians 1:21 & 22

For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.  I Peter 2:20

Note: I’m not very good at this.

There are some things that belong to God alone.  These are things that He will not give away.  They are things that we should just leave be.  Taking them to ourselves would make us thieves.  One is His glory and the other is vengeance.

I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Isaiah 42:8

 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.  Romans 12:19

There is no limit to what one may do, if he/she doesn’t care who gets the credit.

This quote comes in many versions with alternative wordings.  This is how I remember first hearing it.

Original author unknown. 

But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.  And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.  I Cor. 7:12 & 13

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without a word be won by the conversation (manner of life) of the wives;  I Peter 3:1

In my blog article For Christian Husbands, I discussed how a Christian husband, who is supposed to be the spiritual leader in the home, submits to his wife.  The answer is found in Ephesians 5, under the Spirit filled characteristic of submitting to one another; the Christian  husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it.

I want you to understand that submitting in Scripture between a Christian couple is a two way street.  If you are married to an unbeliever, it becomes a one way street, because the unbeliever is not able to submit or love in a biblical way.  The unbeliever does not have the Holy Spirit.  Biblical love and submission is possible only by the Spirit’s enabling.

If you find yourself in the situation of being married to an unbeliever, you need to understand the Scriptures outlined above and their meanings, so that you do not expect more of your mate than they are able to give.  The unbeliever will not be able to love you or submit to you as Christ has commanded the believer to do.

So what’s the point?…..Would you shout at a blind man because he stumbled into your flower bed?  Would you discipline your child for spilling his milk because of his/her childish awkwardness?  Would you become angry and resentful at your mate because he/she does not have the ability to be spiritually minded and obedient to God?

The point is that you cannot force, nor would you want to force, an unbelieving mate to conform to behaviour that is expected of a believer.  

A better approach would be to tell your unbelieving mate one time that you have become a Christian.  From there on, let them see Christ change your own life one day at a time.  Pray for them and let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, but never force your unbelieving mate to conform to your new standard of behaviour.  Conformity on their part might make you feel better, but it would be absolutely disastrous for them spiritually.  Outward conformity without inward transformation is not only hypocrisy, it will create a false sense of  spiritual security for the both of you.

You must keep your priorities in order.  A believer’s priorities should be as follows and in this order:  (1) Your personal relationship to God.  (2) Your relationship to your mate and children.  (3) Your relationship to your church.  I list the family above church because the Scriptures clearly teach that a pastor whose children are not in subjection is not qualified for the ministry.  In other words, if a man cannot lead his own family, how shall he lead the church?  Ministry starts at home.

Keep in mind that the last place on earth an unbeliever would want to be is in church.  Do not manipulate them into being spiritual by guilting them into attending church.  This doesn’t mean that you should go to the lake every weekend with them, but on the other hand it doesn’t mean that you should leave your unbeliever alone every time the doors of the church are open.

I know a gentleman whose new mother-in-law found out that he was a football fan.  She was not.  What she did to develop a relationship with him was outstanding.  She learned all she could about the game of football.  She learned to talk football and developed a true interest in the game.  All this was done sacrificially by her in order to have a special relationship with her new son-in-law.  He said the only bad thing about it was that in the process she became a Nebraska fan!

So,……forget about spiritual manipulation.  Be a genuine husband or wife to your unbeliever.  Let God transform you before their eyes by letting the word of Christ dwell in you richly, and by letting the beauty of Christ be seen in you.  Only God can do the work of conviction, repentance and regeneration in your mate.

Note:  Biblical submission doesn’t mean that you submit to everything an unbeliever may conjure up.  If you are asked to disobey a clear command of God, you must gently but firmly refuse.  If they break the law, call the police first!

Also Note: When I refer to a believer or a Christian, I mean someone who is depending on Jesus Christ and His merit alone as his/her only hope of salvation.  Your unbelieving mate maybe very religious but depending on something other than Christ alone for salvation.  It is important that they see a transformation in your life.  I Peter 3:1 above states that the unbeliever may be won by your manner of life, not by coercion or manipulation.  This is not a show or an act that is put on for their benefit.  It is a way of life.

Are you hurting?  Are you shouldering a burden that is too heavy to bear?  Are you depressed with the circumstances of life?  Are you discouraged by failure?  Are you bitter and unforgiving?  Are you without hope?  Are you without peace?  Do you need forgiveness?  Are you alienated from God?  I know a place where you can find everything you need.  I know One who can quench your thirst.

I know a fount where sins are washed away,

I know a place where night is turned to day;

Burdens are lifted, blind eyes made to see;

There’s a wonder working power

in the blood of Calvary.

Words and Music by Oliver Cooke, 1873 – 1945

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Chorus:

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Words by Fanny J. Crosby, 1820 – 1915

What is your story?

But without faith (a firm persuasion or conviction) it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  Hebrews 11:6

• God is revealed in creation:

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  Psalm 19:1

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  Romans 1:20

• God’s laws are written upon man’s heart and conscience:

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;  Romans 2:14 & 15

• God is unveiled in Jesus Christ:   

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.  Colossians 2:8 & 9

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.  John 17:3.

• God is revealed in a changed life:

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  II Corinthians 5:17

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.  I Corinthians 6:9, 10 & 11

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.  Psalm 66:16

……………the just shall live by faith.  Galatians 3:11

• What is faith? Is it a leap in the dark?

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Faith is both substance and evidence.

According to W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, faith is a firm persuasion or conviction based upon hearing. 

• Faith should not be placed randomly. Faith has a clear objective.

The Apostle Paul defined the gospel in I Corinthians 15:1-4. It is clear and simple.

Moreover brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I have preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I have preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also have received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

• Faith is the gangplank used to board the ship of grace (we are saved by grace through faith).  Misplaced faith can be used to board the wrong ship.

Warning against false teachers Jesus said: Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  Matthew 7:21-23

• Saving faith is based upon the finished work and merit of Jesus Christ alone.

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.  Acts 4:12

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8&9

• Is faith important?

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  Hebrews 11:6

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  Ephesians 6:16

• How do we get faith?

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly!

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:6

God is sinless, that is His nature.  Nothing sinful or defiled can enter into His presence without being destroyed.  We understand this whether we can admit it or not.

Nuclear energy is invisible to our eyes.  It is a tremendous resource for power, both constructive and destructive.  It’s nature is radioactive.  Radiation kills people.  We must handle it properly or witness it’s nature to kill that which is not properly protected.

Nuclear energy is just a power.  God is a person with whom we may have a relationship.

We are sinners, that is our nature.  Because we are sinful and God is sinless, we are alienated from Him.  

Religion is constantly looking for ways to appease God.  The act of appeasing God is like bringing an offering of flowers to lay before a breached nuclear reactor, in hope of saving oneself from radiation’s destructive power.  That is silly, but so is the idea that we can possibly do anything to make ourselves acceptable to God.

We are made in the image of God.  We are a spirit that has a body.  God wants to have a relationship with us but He cannot invite us into His presence without destroying us.  We cannot sneak into His presence without being destroyed.  We cannot protect ourselves from His sinlessness.  There is nothing that we can fabricate or invent that will make us presentable to Him.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him (Jesus Christ) the iniquity of us all.  Isaiah 53:6

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him (Jesus Christ) should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

Come to Christ and live!

When morning gilds the skies,
My heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer,
To Jesus I repair;
May Jesus Christ be praised!  

Does sadness fill my mind?
A solace here I find,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Or fades my earthly bliss?
My comfort still is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

When sleep her balm denies,
My silent spirit sighs,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evil thoughts molest,
With this I shield my breast:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day
When from the heart we say:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The pow’rs of darkness fear
When this sweet chant they hear:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

In heav’n’s eternal bliss
The loveliest strain is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let earth, and sea, and sky
From depth to height reply,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine,
My song of love divine:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Sing this eternal song
Through all the ages long:
May Jesus Christ be praised!