The word for this week is "earnest". We'll be looking at these verses:
2 Corinthians 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. KJV
2 Corinthians 5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. KJV
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. KJV
These are all the Greek word "arrhabon". Strong's Concordance says: a pledge, part of the purchase-money- or property given in advance as security for the rest. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: money which in purchases is given as a pledge that the full amount will subsequently be paid. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: in the New Testament it is used only of that which is assured by God to believers, it is said of the Holy Spirit as the divine "pledge" of all their future blessedness, particularly of their eternal inheritance. "But the word translated earnest also means "engagement ring." In Greece today you would find this word being used that way. But, after all, isn't an engagement ring an assurance - a guarantee - that the promises made will be kept? Our relationship to God through Christ is not simply a commercial one, but also a personal experience of love. He is the Bridegroom and His church is the bride. We know that He will come and claim His bride because He has given us His promise and His Spirit as the "engagement ring." What greater assurance could we want?" The Bible Exposition Commentary.
We know that when JESUS catches the Church up to meet Him in the air, we will then find ourselves at our Marriage Supper, as the Bride of Christ! So at the New Birth, when we received JESUS as Lord and personal Saviour, and were made new creatures in Christ, we were given our "engagement rings"! We each received the Holy Spirit of God to live IN us! He has prommised to NEVER leave us or forsake us! He IS our "earnest" or down payment, on our inheritance, AND our engagement ring to show that we are to be married to the KING of kings! I really like that TRUTH! Here is Hillsong with "Saviour King":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
