In Good Faith!

When we consider the covenant relationship we are to have with God, we must acknowledge the importance of our own sincerity in remaining faithful in that relationship. When we were united with Christ in baptism we were committing to the surrendering of our will to His and therefore accepting Him as the Sovereign Lord of our life.

Paul encouraged the church at Ephesus in the following passage.
“(13) In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, (14) who is THE GUARANTEE OF OUR INHERITANCE until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” ( Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV)

The Greek word translated “guarantee” in the ESV is “arrabon”, a word which originally referred to “EARNEST MONEY” put down by a purchaser; money that would be forfeited if the transaction was never completed. The ESV offers the alternate translation of “down payment” as a footnote and the NIV translates the word as “deposit”. Today we understand such usage when someone makes the decision to purchase a house. A deposit in the form of “EARNEST MONEY” is put down toward the price of the house revealing the sincerity and readiness of the buyer to make the purchase with a commitment to follow through with the complete transaction. If the buyer backs out of the contract, the “EARNEST MONEY” is lost. That is why “EARNEST MONEY” is recognized as a sign of sincere desire so that all the details may be worked out in good faith.

There is no getting around the needed mindfulness of a our own part in retaining of a right relationship with God; honoring the commitment we have made to Him. However, the great encouragement of this passage is its reference to God’s part. Paul described what God, in Christ, was willing to do to secure a relationship with us. The focus is on God’s own resolve to make a deposit guaranteeing all the future blessings with which He intends to follow through. He is described as the One who has put down the “EARNEST MONEY” to make us His own and to provide us with not only a glorious Christian life now, but ultimately an even more glorious eternal inheritance as well.

God is faithful. He cannot be otherwise. (i.e. 2 Timothy 2:13) What He begins He can bring to completion. The sincerity of His earnest desire for us to be His and to bring the fullest blessings into our life both now and for eternity, has been demonstrated in so many ways. There is much more to come, but His guarantee has already been given. Truly recognizing all that He has already done to make the relationship possible ought to just draw us all the more into a closer and more committed relationship with Him. Whatever else we might have to give up, this relationship will surely be worth it all! Guaranteed! God will not forfeit His deposit!

Have a great day TRUSTING WHAT GOD HAS GUARANTEED!
Carl

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