Down Payment Made!

When someone is ready to purchase a house in which to live, they put down "earnest money"; a deposit OF THEIR OWN money to show they are GENUINELY INTERESTED in making the purchase. That deposit reveals an "earnest" investment of interest because, should they back out, that money is usually nonrefundable. The "earnest money" therefore stands as a "guarantee" the intent will be followed through on.

Right now we are living life in a "tent"; an earthly dwelling called the body of flesh. ( 2 Corinthians 5:1a) Because of our relationship with Christ, God has promised us an everlasting dwelling; a heavenly one not made with hands. ( 2 Corinthians 5:1b) This is God's "earnest" intent for us.

In Paul's second letter to the church at Corinth, he encouraged. . .
"(4) For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened -- not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. (5) He who has prepared us for this very thing is GOD who HAS GIVEN US THE SPIRIT AS A GUARANTEE." ( 2 Corinthians 5:4-5 ESV)

The promise of a home on high has come with God's "deposit" or "guarantee." He has a GENUINE INTEREST in the salvation of all and has provided the means for all in Christ. ( 2 Corinthians 5:14-15) As a "deposit" or "guarantee" of what is to come, God has given SOMETHING OF HIS OWN SELF; His Spirit. For His Spirit to be working in our life is to remind us of God's GENUINE INTEREST in bringing us into His eternal habitation; that heavenly home not made with hands. The day will come when we will shed the flesh and it will be replaced with a completely spiritual body. (read 1 Corinthians 15:42-44) Are we acknowledging God's PERSONAL INVESTMENT through Christ on our behalf?

Being assured by the "guarantee" of God's Spirit, our life ought to be marked by living no longer for ourselves, but for Jesus Who died for our sake and was raised ( 2 Corinthians 5:15) by the same power ( 1 Corinthians 6:14) that shall raise us as well. Let us not question God's "earnest" intent with regard to our life now and our eternal dwelling yet to come. His PERSONAL INVESTMENT in our creation, re-creation in Christ ( 2 Corinthians 5:17), and present sustaining for the eternal life to come, declares it to be so! May we look forward to the day when our mortality is swallowed up by life eternal.

Have a great day ENCOURAGED BY GOD'S "EARNEST" INTENT FOR US!
Carl

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