WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13
2 Corinthians 1:20-22; 5:1-9
Ephesians 1:3-14

How well do you
handle your Sword?

THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT

When we received Christ as our Saviour, we entered into a covenant with God, making us heirs to an everlasting inheritance, with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. The full weight of the glory of our inheritance cannot be fully grasped now, but the day will reveal it. Until our eventual entering into the promised inheritance, we sojourn on earth as “strangers and pilgrims” (Heb 11:13).

Our sojourn is a time of testing of our faith, of our steadfastness in the face of difficulties and setbacks. In the weakness of our flesh some may falter or faint along the way. Some may even grow weary and give up. Our God understands our problem and He comes to our aid to strengthen us in the faith. He “stablisheth us,” “anointed us,” “sealed us,” and gave us “the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (2 Cor 1:21-22).

What do we understand by “the earnest of the Spirit”? In business language it is called a “down payment.” But the usage here is not quite the same. In a normal transaction, the buyer makes the down payment (usually ten per cent) as a token of good faith. Then a few weeks later he pays the balance, and he enters into his possession.

In God’s transaction, our coming into His family entitles us to an inheritance, for which we pay nothing! Now in order to assure us that the inheritance is truly ours, our Heavenly Father sends us His Spirit to indwell our hearts as His “down payment” or “earnest.” This is truly “grace upon grace.” The blessed Spirit leads us, enables us to cry Abba, Father, and bears witness with our spirit that we are indeed the children of God. With God’s Spirit indwelling us, need you fear even if things do not go well or go against you? Need you feel “down” because of tribulation and suffering? The Spirit within enables you to bear all trials and burdens. He assures you, “If you suffer with Him, you will be also glorified with Him.”

THOUGHT: (Read Romans 8:18.)
PRAYER: I thank Thee, Lord, for the indwelling of the Spirit in me.