Thursday, January 12, 2006

Who Makes the Deposit?

"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" (Ephesians 1:13-14).

When we make a deposit toward something, we generally do so to guarantee that we will receive that something in full later. I make a security deposit so that I can live in an apartment. I make a down payment so I can drive a new car. I make a bank deposit so I can start an account and withdraw funds. I make a vacation deposit to reserve my place in the hotel and on the plane.

So when I read this passage from Ephesians, I'm struck by the contrast: God makes a deposit to guarantee our inheritance. Let me say that again: God makes the deposit of the Holy Spirit, and we gain eternal life with Him. He pays the price; we reap the blessings.

Another reminder that salvation is a precious gift, given freely. God knew I couldn't pay even the deposit required, let alone the full cost. Contrary to popular belief, the exorbitant cost couldn't be satisfied by "my good deeds outweighing my bad" (which they wouldn't--even my good deeds are too often laced with pride). I couldn't earn a penny toward the payment; all my filthy attempts at righteousness wouldn't have added up to two cents. So while I was still helpless and hopeless in sin, He paid the ultimate price. And when I trusted Him, He went even further, setting His seal of ownership in me as a deposit.

It's His deposit, not anything I do to try to earn approval or acceptance, that guarantees my place with Him.

1 comment:

Jules said...

Mind blowing isn't it? We were just talking about this in Bible study. Good thoughts!