Earnest

2 Corinthians 5:5 "Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit."

Paul is talking in this passage about the hope we have of one day being in the presence of the Lord. A day where we will shed this sinful flesh and know what it means to be totally in His presence. While some may doubt that we can have this kind of assurance, the Bible is very clear.

The Holy Spirit is the only proof we need. The Bible says His presence in our lives as God's children is an "earnest". This is not a common word and is probably unknown to many. It means - "Earnest: money which in purchases is given as a pledge or downpayment that the full amount will subsequently be paid." Having the Holy Spirit dwelling in us is not just a perk of being a Christian. It is God's downpayment on the relationship we will one day enjoy in Heaven with Him, face to face.

Am I daily experiencing God's Holy Spirit in my life? Does it affect the way in which I live life? Thank God today for this downpayment, and for the fact that it can only get better!