Ephesians 1:11-14
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Many items offer a guarantee. Manufacturers will often advertise that they guarantee that their product will perform as intended. Such a guarantee gives the customer a feeling that they are protected. If something goes wrong with the item they have purchased, the manufacturer will make things right.
Of course, a guarantee is only as good as the company that stands behind it. You are only as protected as far as the integrity of the company that offers the guarantee. The main thing to know is that the guarantee is like a guard, protecting you from loss.
In this passage the Holy Spirit is called “the guarantee of our inheritance until will acquire possession of it.” What is our inheritance? Our inheritance is the forgiveness and eternal life that Jesus died on the cross and rose again to provide for our salvation. Through His death our sins are forgiven. Through His resurrection, we know that we too shall rise with Him on the last day. Throughout this life, we have the Holy Spirit to carry us through to the day when we will receive this inheritance.
In this way, the Holy Spirit acts as a guarantee, a guard, and our protector. Daily God the Holy Spirit strengthens our faith. He protects us and draws us close to our Savior Jesus. God the Holy Spirit teaches us the meaning of the Holy Scriptures and strengthens us agains the temptations and assaults of the evil one.
There is no guarantee better than what God Himself provides. The Holy Spirit is with us to bring us to our eternal possession, the resurrection of the dead, and life everlasting. In God’s faithful protection we can at last find peace and know that our salvation is secure, even in the midst of earthly trials.
Let us pray,
O Lord God, I thank you for your grace in sending your only begotten Son Jesus to provide for my salvation. I also praise you for the gifts of my baptism and the power of the Holy Spirit to guard my faith and guarantee my inheritance. I give you praise for your mercy and ask for your continued protection for all your saints. Especially, O Holy Spirit, I pray for all your people suffering physical persecution or spiritual trial. In Jesus name. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.