God’s Gift—the Earnest of the Spirit (2 Cor. 5:5-11). There are many spiritual gifts presented to the believer upon salvation. Some are immediate and some are future. The “earnest (“pledge, security”) of the [Holy] Spirit” is an immediate gift. “Earnest” has the thought of “money which, in purchases, is given as a pledge or downpayment that the full amount will subsequently be paid.” As wonderful as this immediate gift is there is something better comin’ friends! This gift is now followed by a group of “therefores” and “wherefores,” so we will want to see what they are there for! v6 tells you, “therefore we are always confident (“to be of good cheer, good courage and bold”), knowing…” “Courage” is in the present tense, which means continuous action—always be! There is confidence in your knowledge of Christ. v8 tells you that, “We are confident and willing (“well pleased with”)…” (present tense) in God’s purpose and plan for your life. (Yes, I know that I am not finishing the verses, but you can do that on your own.) v9 says, “Wherefore we labour (“to strive earnestly, make it one’s aim”)…” (present tense). (Do I really have to point out that the earnest of the Spirit causes you to strive earnestly?). Why do we labor, “that…we may be accepted (“well-pleasing”) of Him (God).” You are already “accepted in the Beloved,” but you should also want to be well-pleasing as His child. v10 reminds you, “For we must all appear…that everyone may receive…whether it be good or bad.” Interesting word, “appear.” Two of the meanings are, “to bring” and “to receive what was one’s own.” This agrees with my own conception of the Bema Seat (like that matters!). You will “bring what is your own” to the Bema Seat. Though lying face down in the dust of eternity, you will look into Christ’s eyes and He will say “Well?” Your eyes will close in mortification and the totality of your life in Christ will be shown on the back of your eyelids. You will see every thought, motive, word and deed since the time you were saved, in an instant, in the twinkling of your eye. You will return to His gaze, and He will say, “Done” (Matt. 25:21). And this completes your salvation (Jude 1:24). v11 completes the thought; “Knowing therefore the terror (“fear, dread”) of the Lord, we persuade (“to induce one by words to believe”) men…” (present tense). You know—therefore—you tell! Oh, I almost forgot v7! All these “therefores” and “wherefores” are accomplished because, “…we walk by faith (“trust in the Word of Another”) and not by sight (trust in ourselves).” And that’s a Bible Bite!
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 13:50:20 +0000
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