The Divine 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.” Ephesians 1:13-14

Realtors call it “earnest money.” Car dealers call it a “down payment.” Law-away managers call it “deposit.” No matter the name, the hard-earned cash you hand over to secure a deal is a guarantee that you’ll be back bringing more. This practice has a divine precedent. “Having believed, you were marked in him [Christ] with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.”

Though deposits are usually defined as partial value, God wholly gives us Himself in His Spirit. His presence is a promise and a present, a sure sign that we are His and He is happy about it! “Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal.” In those days, a man’s unique seal authenticated his documents and contracts. Impression of the seal gave undoubted validity to the terms of a deal, marked an item as his possession, and confirmed his authority and approval of the transaction. God’s seal of His Spirit states and shows the same. As we allow His spirit to imprint our hearts, the results increasingly resemble Jesus.

God’s deposit is a gift - the gift of a Guide, Comforter, and Counselor, who reveals truth, prays God’s will when we don’t know what to say, helps us know God better, and whose power will one day raise us from the dead (John 16:7, Romans 8:26, 1 Corinthians 2:12, Romans 8:11).

So grand a deposit is a great guarantee that the One who bought us will be back to get us. We’re secure on earth because we’re sure of heaven. There’s much more on the way, but while we’re here, we can face and embrace each day because the One who wants us is with us.

When God bought you, He signed the deal by sending His Spirit.
And the line was dotted in blood.