A Prayer About Guarantees
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14
Gracious Father, sometimes reading portions of Paul’s letters is like standing under a mighty waterfall of mercy and grace. I talking about Niagara Falls proportions, not a trifling trickle. The weight of such glory cascading down both knocks me to the ground and lifts me up like nothing else. It’s simply overwhelming.
For starters… loved before the foundation of the world, chosen in Christ, called in life, justified by faith, declared to be righteous, adopted by Abba, Father, betrothed to Jesus, indwelt by the Holy Spirit… a completely forgiven past, a present standing in grace, a future of unimaginable wonder… my, oh my, oh MY!
What really and richly encourages me today is the knowledge that all of this is guaranteed. You have “sealed the deal,” Holy Spirit. You guarantee our inheritance in Christ. You are the deposit, the down payment, the first installment, the surety, the firstfruits, the pledge, the wedding ring, the preview of coming attractions!
There’s no possibility of “bait and switch,” “revoking the warranty,” no factory recalls, no fine print, no double-speak, no possibility of bankruptcy, no legal maneuverings, no loopholes, no nuttin’ to sabotage the bringing to completion of the good work you have begun, in us and in your entire cosmos!
There’s only you, God, and your glory… and a growing, swelling praise of your glory and praise of your glorious grace! Indeed, so rip and grip our hearts with the gospel of your grace that we only think in terms of EXISTING for the praise of your glory! Let us “be” to the praise of your glory! (Eph. 1:12). What else is there? What else could we possibly want to do with the rest of our lives… and throughout eternity? So very Amen, we pray, in Jesus’ name.