From Beginning to No Ending
Surrendering all of yourself to
Jesus Christ is the beginning of a new life!
With Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are now reconciled to Father God
(the price has been paid for every single one of your sins – past, present and
future). What a blessing to know that
God loves you; not just now, but forever!!
The Bible teaches us so much about our relationship with God and our blessings
and responsibilities as His children.
This devotion focuses on two essential aspects of salvation.
Beginning – The Immediate Result
of Salvation
God identifies you as His child
by sending His Holy Spirit to live in you!
- In the scriptures below, ‘sealed’ means to stamp, mark, or attest. God is lovingly claiming you as His own. This claim is permanent. It cannot be surrendered or taken away!
No Ending – The Ultimate Reality
of Salvation
God pledges that you will be spending
eternity in heaven with Him!
- In the scriptures below, ‘guarantee’ means to make a down payment. God is legally committing to His relationship with you. This commitment is eternal. It cannot be ended or undone!
In His Word, God reiterates the
importance of these truths by weaving them into fundamental teachings about our
walk of faith.
Our Salvation
The moment we trust in Jesus!
- Ephesians 1:13-14 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
- When we believe in Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit. There is nothing more we must do for the Spirit of God to come live in us. The presence of the Holy Spirit is an essential part of our daily walk with Jesus.
Our Stability
God steadies and commissions
us!
- 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
- As we learn and grow, God helps us stand strong in Christ (establishes us). He also sets us apart from the rest of the world (anoints us) to do His work. The Holy Spirit gives us the power and ability to obey God and live for His glory.
Our Submission
Obeying the promptings of God’s
Holy Spirit!
- Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
- Not only does the Holy Spirit empower and enable us, He teaches us the truths of God’s Word. He also leads and guides us according to God’s purposes and plans. We should not reject or resist the moving of the Spirit in our lives. We must trust and obey Him.
Our Security
Looking beyond death to God’s
eternal promises!
- 2 Corinthians 5:4-5 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
- It’s not that Christians want to die, but we are weighed down by the sin, sadness and sickness in the world. We long for the fulfilled promise of eternal life in heaven. However, we want it according to His plans and in His time. There is still so much work for us to do here. His Spirit is with us every step of the way.
What a beautiful tapestry of
truth and assurance. Praise God for His
everlasting love for us. Thank God for
all He has done to guarantee the eternal destination of all who love Him. Share the truth about Him with those who don’t
know or don’t believe. Never forget, His
promises and His Spirit are always with us.
Prayer
Thank You Father for loving
us so very much! Not only have you made
a way for us to be with you through Your Son, Jesus, but You have claimed us as
Your own and guaranteed our eternal life in heaven. I pray dear Lord that these truths will
comfort and strengthen the hearts of Your children. Please bring many who don’t know You to
saving faith through the truth of Your Word and the unending trustworthiness of
Your promises. I humbly and confidently
ask these things in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
