Who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

 A pledge (engagement ring):

 

2 Corinthians 1:22

22     who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

     

Ephesians 1:13-14

13     In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

     14     who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

     

 

            First we heard the Word about our need for salvation. This brought about a belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. After we believed in Jesus, the Father Himself sealed us with the Holy Spirit. The Greek denotes that He took a special interest in this sealing. It wasn’t just some rubber-stamping. The Holy Spirit was given as God’s pledge that He would fully redeem us. This was just the down payment. In Modern Greek, the word translated pledge is used for an engagement ring. The Holy Spirit is God’s engagement ring to us! If He is the engagement ring, what will the wedding band be?

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "I have promised you many things. As a token of My pledge, I have given you My Spirit. I have sealed you with My signet ring through His indwelling you. You are My own special prize, and I long to visit with you. Do not take it lightly that I have done this. I have sealed you not only to protect you but also to stake My claim to you. When anyone sees My seal, he knows that you are Mine and that no one should attempt to harm you.”

 

            53. The Holy Spirit of promise was given in my heart as an engagement ring. The Father, Himself, took a special interest in sealing me as His special possession!

Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”?

 Indwelling:

            God desires His Spirit in us:

 

James 4:5

5     Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”?

     

 

            The Holy Spirit was with the disciples while Jesus was alive on earth. After He rose from the dead, He came to have His home inside them. We have that same Spirit making His residence inside of us. He’s not just visiting … He’s a permanent guest. God desires to commune with us through his Spirit indwelling us.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "I desire to speak to you within your spirit. My Spirit talks to yours communicating My will and purpose for your life. He speaks with Me continually on your behalf. He will show you what you are to do and to say. You can talk with Me day by day through Him. I greatly desire that to happen. You are Mine, and He will unite us through your own spirit.”

 

            52. God has placed His Spirit inside me to dwell, and He greatly desires that Spirit.

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

 Rivers of living water:

 

John 7:38

38     “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

     

            Since we believe in Jesus, from our deepest recesses will surge rivers of living water. Living water was that which flowed. It wasn’t some pond where the waters just sat there. Water came in, and water flowed out. That’s the way it is to be with us. The water of the Holy Spirit flows into us, and should flow out of us to help those around us.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "From within you come forth My blessings through My Spirit. He will flow outward from your innermost being. He will abound in your life and will minister to those around you. He is like a river, not a tiny stream. He will build in strength and power within you as He flows out of you. He will become a raging river in the lives of others as you let Him.”

 

            51. I have believed in Jesus, and therefore from my innermost being will flow rivers of living water.

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

 Water metaphor:

 

            Regeneration and renewing:

 

Titus 3:5-7

5     He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

     6     whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

     7     so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 

            This underlines the fact that our salvation doesn’t depend on what we’ve done to earn it. It also doesn’t depend on our becoming good enough. It’s completely based on His mercy and grace. We were washed clean when we were regenerated by the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t just a drop or two. He was poured out upon us abundantly. We have all of the Holy Spirit that we will ever need. Through all this we were made heirs of an incredible inheritance.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "It is through My Spirit that you were brought into fellowship with Me. He it is who made you acceptable unto Me through the blood of My Son. My Spirit applies that blood to your heart and brings you into oneness with Me. He will cleanse you and make you whole as you allow Him to do. Trust in His work in you to bring it about. I delighted so much in you that I purposed to give Him to you that you might know His presence for all eternity.”

 

            50. I didn’t have to work for my salvation, doing deeds of righteousness. It was through His mercy and grace that I experienced the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.