Dear Disciple,
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you 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
Your now is leading to your then. When you trusted Jesus and joined your life to His in baptism, you received the gift of His presence, the Holy Spirit. He was and is promised to all who repent and are baptized because they believe the message of Jesus (see Acts 2:38-39).
You’re sealed, Disciple, and that means that you’re not fighting for a place at the table or in the kingdom. It’s yours. You must now thrive in it and give your every effort to live according to its love-and-grace-soaked culture. May you have a peace and settled joy about the fact that it is yours. This promised Holy Spirit is like the wedding ring given at the covenant ceremony of marriage: a constant witness to the covenant entered and a symbol of everything the covenant includes. The Holy Spirit’s constant presence and ministry in us are tremendous in and of themselves, but notice what the apostle wrote: “a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance”. There is so much more involved in our covenant with God through Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is always bearing witness that everything to come is ours as well (also see 2 Corinthians 1:22 & 5:5)!
Having been “included in Christ”, Disciple, you have reason to live confidently and joyfully today. What’s His is yours! Of course, this includes glory as well as suffering. These two are inseparable in the Kingdom way because present suffering in the Enemy’s order leads to glory in our King’s order. As one of “God’s possession”, walk with humble confidence wherever you are today. Your present is infused with your God’s glorious presence and power, and your future is full of breathtaking joys and wonders that are drawing nearer and nearer. Yes, very soon our glorious Master will return, and His reward will be with Him (Revelation 22:12). Come, Lord Jesus!
Included and sealed with you,
Ryan
