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, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Eph. 1:13-14
Gracious Father, sometimes reading Paul’s letters is like standing in front of a fire hydrant gushing with goodness, or under a waterfall of cascading awesomeness. It’s hard to stand up to the rush of so much glory and grace, mercy and might, riches and righteousness. It’s simply overwhelming—way too much to take in.
For starters, as I read through Ephesians I’m confronted with being loved before the foundation of the world; being chosen in Christ and called in life; being justified by faith and declared to be righteous; and being adopted by Abba, Father, betrothed to Jesus, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. I’m shown that I have a completely forgiven past, a present standing in grace, and a future of unimaginable wonder. You’ve given us incalculable and unimaginable riches in Jesus!
But what really encourages me today is knowing that all of this is guaranteed. You’ve “sealed the deal” by the Holy Spirit. You’ve guaranteed our inheritance in Christ. You’ve given us the down payment, the first fruits the promise of a future beyond our wildest dreams and asking.
There’s no possibility of “bait and switch” or “revoking the warranty.” There’s no factory recalls, no fine print or doublespeak, no possibility of bankruptcy or legal maneuverings. We cannot add to it, or take away from it. Nothing will sabotage, delay or impact your bringing to completion of the good work you’ve begun in us, and in your entire cosmos!
Father, rip and grip, seize and free, challenge and change our hearts with the gospel of your grace. Let us be a people who live to the praise of your glorious grace. 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’ glorious and loving name.
