“In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 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, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1.11-14
Something special distinguishes Christians from other people and other religions. We are the only religion that claims to have the Spirit of our resurrected God living in our bodies. Now consider that for a moment — God in the flesh, Jesus Christ, who came to earth, died and rose again, sent us his Holy Spirit to live within my spirit. That sounds so bizarre!
When you think about it, it really seems crazy. And yet, it’s a reality for all who trust Christ as Savior. Romans 8.11 affirms this, “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.” Not only does Christ live in all who have been saved by faith through grace (Ephesians 2.8-9). By giving your life to Christ, you receive a “spiritual inheritance” immediately — God moves into your body! (1 Cor. 6.19-20 – “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit,”!)
Now to what extent God moves in, kind of depends upon us, and him. I mean, God could totally rock my life — even Moses had to shield his eyes when God walked by (Exodus 33.21-23.) So God must certainly limit his power in me so I do not die! But when we say yes to Jesus, God moves in gently by the power of his Holy Spirit. When a soul yields to him, God reveals his Spirit. God does not give us more than we handle of his Spirit either! I’ve had moments when the Spirit overwhelmed me, and other times when he gently reminded me that he was “in the room.”
The moment of our conversation, Ephesians 1.13-14 falls into affect — “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” We are marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit which “guarantees our inheritance” because we belong to God. We are now his possession — not that he possesses us — that’s controlling and evil. God chooses us as His own as we choose him in return.
This moment came for me in 1986 at a Young Life camp when I surrendered to Christ and immediately knew something had changed in my life. It was the beautiful entry of his Spirit into my spirit. Like a damn breaking or a drain being unclogged. God’s love flowed freely in.
Perhaps today is the day you reconnect with the Lord. Maybe your heart is devoted to his care and you simply want to reinstate your relationship with him. Let’s call upon his name this day. Let’s surrender to the One who “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”
“O Lord God, you are good. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for saving and sanctifying me. Even this brief existence in your Universe upon this Earth. I thank you for the seal of the Holy Spirit, for the deposit to guarantee my hope in Heaven. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me up. Affirm your love for me and anoint me with your power. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen