A Guarantee That Cannont be Broken
Guaranteed Returns Forever
As a financial advisor, I often interviewed new clients about their financial goals. They frequently asked me about guaranteed income for retirement and what kind of return they could receive with little or no risk.
I explained that most guarantees were only as good as the guarantor standing behind them, that most guaranteed investments had time limitations, and that they produced lower returns commensurate with lower risk. So, is there any guarantee that lasts forever, has a very high return, and is backed by the safest guarantor? Absolutely.
In Ephesians 1:14-15, Paul explains that the Holy Spirit seals and guarantees our eternal destiny: “And you were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, which is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are Christ’s possessions.”
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
The Holy Spirit is undoubtedly the least understood member of the Holy Trinity. We know God the Father as our creator and God the Son, Jesus, as our redeemer. But for many of us, the Holy Spirit remains something of a mystery, even though He lives constantly in the hearts of Believers.
The Holy Spirit's presence was not always apparent in the Old Testament. We first encounter Him before creation in Genesis 1, as He moves over the face of the waters. When man was created in Genesis 2, His presence is implied when God says, "Let us make man in our own image."
Throughout the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came upon certain individuals at specific times, empowering God’s servants to carry out His divine will. However, He never permanently indwelled people in the Old Testament.
The Holy Spirit in the New Testament
But that changed in the New Testament. In John 14-16, Jesus told the disciples that he must go so that God could send the Holy Spirit to them. He described the Holy Spirit as a counselor who is called alongside us to lead and guide Believers permanently.
In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit made a dramatic appearance on Pentecost. He descended in tongues of fire, visible on the disciples’ heads, a sight that surely left the onlookers in awe. Peter then preached to the crowds, and the Church was born with 3000 Jewish converts.
Since Pentecost, the Church has been called the Body of Christ because the Holy Spirit permanently dwells in the hearts of all who proclaim Jesus as Lord. In our Ephesians passage, Paul tells us the Holy Spirit seals our redemption when we first believe, and He guarantees it for eternity.
The Holy Spirit Seals Us
In ancient times, a wax seal was placed on a scroll to authenticate it as coming from the king or a person of authority. If we know Christ, we have His mark on us. Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are the children of God.”
For us Believers, the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives proves that we belong to the King of Kings and have His authority to act on His behalf.
The Holy Spirit is Our Guarantee
Paul also tells us that the Holy Spirit is a deposit that guarantees our inheritance. This means a down payment or earnest money you might put down when buying a house that guarantees you will complete the transaction.
The moment we receive Jesus, God gives us the Holy Spirit as His pledge that He will complete the deal. The presence of the Holy Spirit is His guarantee that we will inherit eternal life at some time in the future.
So, if you are looking for a guarantee with a high rate of return that lasts forever and is backed by the very power of God, look no further. The Holy Spirit’s presence in us and witness to us should give us great comfort.
That’s the Good News of the Gospel—if you know Jesus Christ, your salvation is not dependent on your works. It is secured by God’s promise that He will never leave you or forsake you forever. That’s a guarantee you can count on.
Maranatha,
Andy
