In mulling over all the points that were made about our being heirs of God, a couple really stood out to me. The one I want to talk about today is this:
I am an heir of God. The deposit has been made.
This statement is based on Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV):
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.
Sometimes I just have to shake my head at the wonder of God. He created us. We screwed up. He knew we would so He had a way already planned to give us a path back to Him – He sacrificed His Son to accomplish it. In that sacrifice, He conquered death so that we would have eternity with Him. And if that weren’t enough, He has promised to give imperfect us an inheritance equal to that of His perfect son! But wait, there’s more! In the meantime, while we wait to receive that eternal inheritance, He has given us something as a deposit, a seal to the promise He made: the Holy Spirit to live within us until that eternal day. Mind-boggling. Incredible.
There was one thing in particular that I learned about this verse that really, really moved me. It had to do with the Greek meaning of the word “deposit” (“earnest” in the KJV). The Greek word is arrobon, meaning “a pledge”; in the New Testament it is used of that which is assured by God to believers, and it is said of the Holy Spirit as a pledge of all their future blessedness, particularly of their eternal inheritance. [i] This, however, struck me so deeply:
In modern Greek, arrobona is an “engagement ring”.
Is that not the sweetest thing? When we believe in Christ and give our hearts to Him, He gives us His Spirit in return – an “engagement ring” from the Bridegroom to His bride, until we receive our inheritance in its fullness at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.
Let us rejoice and be happy
and give God glory,
because the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and the Lamb’s bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean, was given to her to wear.
and give God glory,
because the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and the Lamb’s bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean, was given to her to wear.
Revelations 19:7-8 (NCV)
Beth’s daughter, Melissa, a newlywed of 6 months, helped give a woman at the Siesta Fiesta a door prize for being married the longest – 58 years! When this lovely woman came down to claim her prize, Melissa caught sight of her wedding ring; it was a stunner!
She looked at that woman and said, “Now THAT is a beautiful inheritance!” :o)
Beautiful it was, but NOTHING in comparison to what awaits us. We are heirs of God. The deposit has been made. We are betrothed, sweet friends – betrothed to the King.
{i} Blue Letter Bible. “Dictionary and Word Search for arrabōn (Strong’s 728)“. Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2008.
You go girl!!! You recapped this amazing point beautifully!!
“I am an heir of God!! The deposit has been made!”
Praising Him this morning. Love you my sweet friend!
Fran
Oh be still, my beating soul!
Love ya,
Yolanda
I'm so sorry that I hadn't checked back to my "spotlight" and read all of the sweet comments left there for me.
I think I did right at first and then things got pretty crazy busy & I didn't go back. Oh how I wished I would have written more people back so I could have met more Siestas face to face.
There just has to be a next time.
I loved every minute of the weekend.
Love & blessings,
Valerie
My heart’s a flurry with the thought.
peace~elaine
Oh, Melinda! I loved hearing this again. I love how he loves the imperfect me and promises a wonderful inheritance! This post makes me want to thank Him again for sealing us and for the Holy Spirit! I wear a ring on my right baby finger (from my first marriage) as a reminder of where God has brought me. Every time I look at it, I remember His promises! What an inheritance!
You and I are an heir of God… and Blessed beyond measure!
Much love to you this evening!
Angie xoxo
Being a true romantic, I loved this thought.
A song from my childhood reminds me I am a “precious jewell, His loved and His own”.
Joy
God is so special. I am blown away that He has chosen me, the chief of sinners, to be His betrothed. I am honored and in love with my Savior!