THE SPIRIT AS THE EARNEST OF OUR INHERITANCE

THE SPIRIT AS THE EARNEST OF OUR INHERITANCE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Ephesians 1:14

Key Verse: “Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” — Ephesians 1:14 KJV

Supporting Texts: Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 2 Corinthians 5:5; Romans 8:23; Romans 8:16-17; Galatians 4:6-7; John 14:16-17; 1 Peter 1:3-5.

Description: This message teaches that the Holy Spirit is God's divine guarantee and foretaste of the inheritance prepared for every believer in Christ.

INTRODUCTION

When a person receives the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ, he receives more than an experience; he receives God's own presence as a divine assurance of what is yet to come. Paul declares that the Holy Spirit is “the earnest of our inheritance.” An earnest is a deposit, pledge, guarantee, or first instalment given to assure the receiver that the full promise will eventually be fulfilled.

God has prepared an eternal inheritance for His children. This inheritance includes eternal life, the fullness of redemption, resurrection, glorification, fellowship with God, and the eternal kingdom. Although believers have not yet entered into the complete manifestation of everything God has promised, the Holy Spirit gives us a present experience of the reality that is coming.

Therefore, the presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer is a powerful testimony that God has not abandoned His purpose concerning us. What God has started, He will complete. The Spirit in us is God's pledge that our inheritance is certain. We must therefore value His presence, walk in His guidance, live faithfully, and look forward with confidence to the full redemption of our purchased possession.

1. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD'S DEPOSIT IN THE BELIEVER

The word “earnest” speaks of a deposit or pledge. When someone pays an earnest on something valuable, that payment demonstrates commitment to complete the transaction. In the same way, God gives the Holy Spirit to believers as His divine pledge that He will fulfil everything He has promised.

The Holy Spirit is therefore not merely an influence or emotional experience. He is God's personal presence dwelling in His people and assuring them that they belong to Him and that His promises concerning their future will surely come to pass.

a) A Divine Deposit (Ephesians 1:14) – The Holy Spirit is God's deposit in the believer, assuring us that the inheritance promised by God is real and certain.

b) A Divine Pledge (2 Corinthians 1:22) – God “hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” The Spirit is God's pledge that His covenant purposes will be fulfilled.

c) A Divine Assurance (2 Corinthians 5:5) – God has given believers the Spirit “for this very thing,” assuring us that our future transformation and glorification are part of His eternal plan.

d) A Divine Presence (John 14:16-17) – Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would abide with believers and dwell in them. God's presence with us today is a foretaste of eternal fellowship with Him.

Biblical Example: The children of Israel received the land of Canaan as their promised inheritance, but they had to journey towards it before possessing its fullness (Joshua 1:2-3). In a similar way, believers have received the Holy Spirit as God's pledge while looking forward to the complete manifestation of their eternal inheritance.

2. THE HOLY SPIRIT ASSURES US THAT GOD WILL COMPLETE HIS PROMISE

God does not make empty promises. What He begins, He is able to complete. The Holy Spirit in the believer is evidence that God's redemptive work has already begun and will ultimately reach its appointed completion.

There may be seasons when circumstances make the future look uncertain, but the believer does not base his confidence on circumstances. Our confidence rests on God's faithfulness and on the presence of His Spirit within us.

a) God Finishes What He Starts (Philippians 1:6) – God who began a good work in you is faithful to perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Your present condition is not the end of God's work.

b) God's Promises Are Certain (2 Corinthians 1:20) – All the promises of God are “yea” and “amen” in Christ. The Holy Spirit confirms that God's promises are trustworthy.

c) Your Future Is Secure in God (1 Peter 1:3-4) – Believers have an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven.

d) God Is Faithful to His Children (1 Thessalonians 5:24) – “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” God's faithfulness is the foundation of our confidence.

Biblical Example: Abraham waited many years before Isaac was born, yet God fulfilled His promise because He was faithful (Genesis 21:1-2). The delay did not cancel the promise.

3. THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES US A FORETASTE OF OUR FUTURE INHERITANCE

The Holy Spirit allows believers to experience something of God's kingdom even before the fullness of our inheritance arrives. We experience God's presence, peace, joy, power, love, guidance, fellowship, and spiritual blessings now.

What we experience today is not the entirety of what God has prepared. It is a foretaste. The best is still ahead.

a) A Foretaste of God's Presence (Psalm 16:11) – The Holy Spirit brings us into fellowship with God and gives us a taste of the joy that will be complete in His presence forever.

b) A Foretaste of Divine Power (Acts 1:8) – The Spirit gives believers supernatural power to witness for Christ. This present spiritual power points towards the fullness of God's kingdom power.

c) A Foretaste of Eternal Joy (Romans 14:17) – The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. These realities are experienced now and will be perfected in eternity.

d) A Foretaste of Future Glory (Romans 8:23) – We who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption and the redemption of our bodies.

Biblical Example: Jesus allowed Peter, James, and John to witness His transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8). They received a glimpse of His glory before the fullness of His kingdom was manifested.

4. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE GUARANTEE OF OUR ETERNAL INHERITANCE

The believer's inheritance is not earthly wealth alone. Our greatest inheritance is eternal life with God, resurrection, glorification, and participation in the eternal kingdom of Christ.

The Holy Spirit is God's guarantee that this inheritance is not an empty promise. What God has promised for eternity is secured by His own faithfulness.

a) An Inheritance That Cannot Perish (1 Peter 1:4) – Our inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading. Human possessions can disappear, but God's inheritance remains forever.

b) An Inheritance Reserved in Heaven (1 Peter 1:4) – God has reserved our eternal inheritance where earthly forces cannot destroy it.

c) An Inheritance Shared with Christ (Romans 8:16-17) – As children of God, believers are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.

d) An Inheritance Secured by the Spirit (Ephesians 1:14) – The Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession.

Biblical Example: The prodigal son returned to his father and was restored to the privileges of sonship (Luke 15:20-24). His restoration illustrates the gracious position believers have as children and heirs in God's family.

5. THE HOLY SPIRIT PREPARES US FOR THE FULLNESS OF OUR INHERITANCE

The Spirit is not given merely to make us feel good; He is given to prepare us for eternity. He transforms our character, teaches us God's Word, convicts us of sin, empowers holy living, and makes us increasingly like Christ.

If the Holy Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, then we must allow Him to prepare us for what God has prepared for us. We cannot desire the inheritance while continually resisting the Spirit who is preparing us for it.

a) He Transforms Our Character (2 Corinthians 3:18) – As we yield to the Spirit, we are changed into the image of Christ from glory to glory.

b) He Teaches Us God's Truth (John 16:13) – The Spirit guides believers into all truth and helps us understand God's will.

c) He Produces Spiritual Fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) – The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance in the believer.

d) He Empowers Holy Living (Romans 8:13) – Through the Spirit, believers can put to death sinful practices and live according to God's will.

Biblical Example: Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit and demonstrated Christlike character even when he was persecuted (Acts 6:5; 7:54-60). The Spirit's presence in him was evident not only through power but also through his character.

6. THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT SHOULD MOVE US TO LIVE FOR GOD'S GLORY

Paul ends the verse with the words, “unto the praise of his glory.” God's purpose is not merely to bless us but to receive glory through our lives. The Spirit within us should produce a life that brings honour to Christ.

If we understand that the Holy Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, we will stop living carelessly. We will become more committed to God, more faithful in service, more serious about holiness, and more hopeful about eternity.

a) Live as God's Possession (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) – Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit; therefore, glorify God in your body and spirit.

b) Walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) – Daily dependence on the Holy Spirit helps us overcome the desires of the flesh.

c) Serve Faithfully (1 Corinthians 15:58) – Because our eternal reward is certain, we should remain steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord.

d) Live for God's Glory (Matthew 5:16) – Let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Biblical Example: Joseph remained faithful to God in slavery, temptation, imprisonment, and promotion (Genesis 39-41). His circumstances changed repeatedly, but his commitment to God remained firm.

CONCLUSION

The Holy Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance. He is God's deposit, pledge, guarantee, and foretaste of the glorious things He has prepared for His children. The Spirit in us is evidence that God has begun a work that He intends to complete. Therefore, we must not allow temporary trials, disappointments, or earthly difficulties to make us doubt God's promises. Our inheritance is secure in Christ.

Let us therefore cherish the presence of the Holy Spirit, yield to His leadership, walk in holiness, serve God faithfully, and remain steadfast until the day of complete redemption. What we have received now is only the beginning; greater glory awaits us. Let the assurance of our inheritance produce faith, perseverance, obedience, and a life that continually brings praise to God's glory.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit as the earnest of my inheritance, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, help me to value and honour the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life, in Jesus name.

3. Father, let the Holy Spirit continually remind me that Your promises concerning my life will surely come to pass, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, strengthen my faith whenever circumstances make me doubt Your promises, in Jesus name.

5. Father, let the Holy Spirit produce the character of Christ in me, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, help me to walk daily in obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name.

7. Father, preserve me from everything that can hinder me from receiving the fullness of my inheritance in Christ, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, let every present experience of Your Spirit increase my hunger for greater depths in You, in Jesus name.

9. Father, make my life a testimony of Your faithfulness and bring glory to Your name through me, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, keep me faithful until the day of complete redemption and the full manifestation of my eternal inheritance, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You are marked by the presence of the Holy Spirit, and your life shall continually reflect the reality of God's presence.

2. You shall not lose your inheritance in Christ; you shall remain established in God's promises until their complete fulfilment.

3. Every promise of God concerning your life shall come to pass according to His perfect will.

4. The Holy Spirit shall strengthen you, guide you, teach you, and empower you to fulfil your divine assignment.

5. You shall experience increasing dimensions of God's peace, joy, power, wisdom, and presence.

6. Every attack against your faith and confidence in God's promises shall fail in the name of Jesus.

7. You shall walk in holiness, obedience, and spiritual maturity as the Holy Spirit works in you.

8. You shall not end your journey halfway; the grace of God shall preserve you until the full redemption of your purchased possession.

9. Your life shall become a living testimony of God's faithfulness, and your testimony shall bring praise to His glory.

10. You shall inherit all that God has prepared for you in Christ, and you shall finish your race faithfully in Jesus' name.