Our Hope of Assurance By Paul Chappell Wednesday, Apr 23, 2014 “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 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, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:12–14 For many years Jeremiah prophesied to the people of Israel, warning them that judgment was coming because they had turned away from following God and were worshiping idols instead. Finally, that judgment came in the form of the mighty armies of Babylon. They surrounded the city of Jerusalem and laid siege against it. When it became obvious that the battle would be lost and the Babylonians would capture Jerusalem, God gave Jeremiah an unusual instruction—to buy a plot of land. From a human standpoint it doesn’t make much sense to enter a long term real estate transaction when the nation is about to fall, but God was sending a message: “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days” (Jeremiah 32:14). When the captivity ended, there would be proof that God had been at work throughout the process. As we walk through a world filled with doubt and trouble, we do not have to fear for our eternal destiny. At the moment of salvation, we receive the Holy Spirit—the guarantee of God that all of His promises to us will be kept. Just as the people who returned from Babylon after the captivity could see the seals on the land contract guaranteeing Jeremiah’s purchase, we have an unshakeable testimony of God’s faithfulness in His indwelling Spirit. Today’s Renewal Principle: Our hope of eternal salvation is guaranteed by the sealing presence...
Posted on: Thu, 24 Apr 2014 13:13:11 +0000
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