Earnest #2

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

“Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (2 Corinthians 1:21,22 KJV).

What exactly is an “earnest?” How is the Holy Spirit involved?

One effectual way Satan’s policy of evil vexes Christians is to cause them to doubt they are truly saved and bound for Heaven. It is thus frequently stated, “But I do not feel saved!” (Emotions deceive.) Entire denominational systems teach their members, “‘Once saved, always saved’ is a lie!” (Traditions of men deceive.) People even twist Bible verses to challenge the security of the member of the Church the Body of Christ. (Non-dispensational Bible study deceives.) As always, Satan and sinful man go to great lengths to defy whatever the God of Scripture says and does.

Paul the Apostle wrote 1 Corinthians to provide carnal believers with Divine insight, that these fleshly or worldly saints reform their thoughts and behaviors to fit grace doctrine. Spiritual conditions were so deplorable in Corinth, to the point where Paul intended to visit them in person again to reprove them. Yet, he decided not to go. Instead, he would let them resolve their problems by using his written communication. Read 2 Corinthians 1:15-24 for his explanation. Since Paul had a change of plans—saying he would come but did not—the Corinthians wondered if he had been dishonest concerning Jesus Christ. The Apostle reassured them: his preaching of the Lord was reliable, worthy of their faith or trust.

Let us return to today’s Scripture in context: “[20] For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. [21] Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; [22] Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” Firstly, Father God “stablisheth” (stabilizes) us in Christ. Secondly, He has “anointed” us, appointed us to the office of functioning as His children. Thirdly, He has “sealed” (preserved) us, marked us as His own. Lastly, He has “given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” We use other verses to amplify this latter concept….