There is a beautiful scene tucked away in the Old Testament. King David has assumed the throne given to him by God.
Once Saul and his sons were gone, many expected him to seek vengeance. The customer of the day would call for David to rid the world of all Saul’s family. Kings often went to such extremes to rid the world of potential challengers for the throne. David pursued no such agenda.
A nurse took it upon herself to rescue a young child, Mephibosheth. The child fell as she made her escape. He was permanently injured, being crippled for life.
Years passed as David became settled as king. His kingdom solidified David determined to see if any of Saul’s descendants survived. He was then informed of the now grown Mephibosheth. David summoned him to the throne room.
As Mephibosheth stood there, he expected that he had seen his last sunrise. David’s words brought an amazing surprise. Instead of getting rid of him, the King welcomed Mephibosheth into his family and shared his table. From that day forward the young man would sit at David’s table, eat David’s food, and enjoy David’s protection. He was welcomed as family and given a permanent place. Additionally, David handed over to Mephibosheth was given all the lands belonging to Saul as his inheritance.
This is such a beautiful picture of grace. He deserved none of the blessings but received them all. Mephibosheth was also a picture of what happens to us in Jesus. We are welcomed to the table of God, included in His family, given hope and a future inheritance. It is all guaranteed.
So many believers doubt the provision of grace. They live with an uncertainty about their future. They hope they can go to heaven. They are just not certain. The Holy Spirit has an enormous role in helping us deal with our doubt, fear, and insecurity.
Three truths are found in Scripture in four different passages. A word of warning, the thoughts overlap. The Holy Spirit of God has inspired these words to reassure our spirits.
- The Spirit Guarantees our Salvation (Romans 8:15-16)
“Romans 8:15-16 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
Look carefully at the end of verse fifteen. How did your salvation come about. Seldom noticed is that the Holy Spirit brought about our salvation. He BROUGHT IT ABOUT. How did He do that. He introduced our thoughts to God. He spoke truth into our Spirits and brought us before God.
You have been moved from slave to son and daughter. Adoption is an amazing Greek word. It combines two words into one. Made up of thesia-placing and huios-son. You have been placed into His family. You have all rights of sonship. This is an irrevocable promise.
We are adopted into the family of God. This tells us who we are. We are adopted into His family. He announces who we are. We are His children. This new reality carries the idea that we are shown love, grace, compassion and are welcomed into an intimate relationship with God.
When we are adopted, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our lives. We belong to God. The Holy Spirit lives in us. We are the temple of God. (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Our adoption gives us the privilege of a new relationship. We can cry out to God, calling Him Abba. This word was often the first word a child would learn to say. The syllables came easily. God invites us to call Him daddy. We can cry out to Him with unashamed, joyful, endearing love.
God graciously and lovingly sought you out. He takes unworthy people and welcomes them into His family as children.
If you doubt, we have the continuing ministry of the Spirit. He whispers in our souls that we are God’s children. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to reassure us.
- The Spirit is our Deposit (2 Corinthians 5:5, Eph 1:13-14)
2 Corinthians 5:5 “Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
Ephesians 1:13-14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession — to the praise of his glory.”
We may ask the question how we can be certain of our status. In these passages we hear repeatedly that the Spirit is given to us a deposit guaranteeing our welcome into our future home.
Doubtless almost everyone who reads these words will understand the concept of the downpayment. It is not the final payment. It does not complete the transaction. No, it is the first payment.
Your salvation, your welcome into God’s family, your ability to cry out Abba is ONLY the FIRST part of the promise. His presence guarantees that the rest is to come.
Who receives this promise. We are left with no doubt. Paul’s words to the Ephesians make it clear that these promises apply to those who have heard the word of truth, they have been exposed to the gospel and have chosen to believe.
The question you must ask, as you read these words is this, “Have I chosen to believe God for my salvation.” No one can do it for you. You are not saved because you belong to a church. You are saved because you believe God’s offer of salvation.
When you choose to believe you are guaranteed a place in heaven. You are sealed with a promise. The seal speaks of:
- Security. The seal says, “this is mine.”
- Authenticity. The seal assures us that it is real.
- Ownership.
- Authority.
The Spirit seals you. You are signed, sealed, and delivered. He pledges to complete the work.
- Your Inheritance is Guaranteed (2 Corinthians 1:22)
2 Corinthians 1:22 “set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
We are united together under a promise. The Spirit is the earnest of your salvation. If one, just one person who has been saved can be lost again the downpayment will be lost. The concept that the Spirit of God could somehow be lost to God is completely foreign to Scripture.
You can be certain of this. What God promised will be completed. “You have an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade.” (1 Peter 1:3-4)
To be sure you can grieve the Spirit. (See Ephesians 4:30) However, even when you do the Scripture is clear, “We have been sealed for the day of redemption.”
It is done. This is a one-time, nonrepeatable event. You are sealed. This is no, “maybe” promise. The Spirit seals it. Your salvation is done.
Three Summary Messages of Reassurance
- You are legally adopted. The transaction has been accepted in heaven.
- Your promise is guaranteed.
- What is sealed cannot be unsealed. One small note, in the Roman world adoption was sealed and witnessed by seven witnesses. It could under NO circumstances be undone. A Roman citizen did not take adoption lightly. One could disown their own, natural children, but not an adopted child. God has chosen to adopt you, and it is down.
