READING: EPHESIANS 1: 11-14
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 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.
REFLECTION
Have you ever put a deposit down? Maybe for a holiday, a car or something slightly smaller? I decided this year that I wanted to learn a new skill, so I’ve decided to take up knitting (this podcast isn’t designed to make me sound particularly cool!). To help on my quest last week I signed up for a knitting class in a local shop, to sign up I had to pay a deposit. This deposit is a guarantee that on the day I’ll show up. It’s a way of me promising my attendance to the course leader.

Yesterday we saw how Paul in his letter to the Ephesians wants us to know that we are part of a bigger story. Today we will be shown again of how God reminds us of this. Ephesians 1 verses 13-14 read:

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.

Paul describes the Holy Spirit as a deposit, a guarantee and foretaste of what’s to come. Just as my payment of a deposit is a sign I’ll show up, Paul is saying that the Holy Spirit is a sign of God’s work in the future. The words Paul uses are ‘until the redemption’, in other words the Holy Spirit points to the life changing life that will pour into this world and into us when heaven is finally and completely brought to earth.

In Exodus, God’s very powerful and personal presence was shown to the people in the pillars of cloud and fire. They were a sign that God was with them and that he was leading them on. In the same way the Holy Spirit is God’s presence with us but is also a sign of what is to come, that Jesus will once more physically dwell with us when His kingdom is finally and fully established on earth. As we saw yesterday Paul is very keen that we recognise that God’s work in the world is not just for the here and now but for the future. His Holy Spirit should equip us to see His kingdom coming now, while we await what is to come, more on this tomorrow!
PRAY
Jesus thank you that you left your Holy Spirit to equip us but thank you that the presence of your Holy Spirit is also a guarantee of our future hope, that you will one day return and your presence will make all things new.