Have you ever tried to use your debit card, but that little statement, “Insufficient Funds” comes up? It’s such a letdown because it limits you in what you can do financially.  

Well, the Ephesians had the opposite problem. They had a huge spiritual bank account filled with blessings in Christ Jesus. But they failed to recognize and utilize what they had.

Paul prayed God would open their eyes so they could understand and enjoy those blessings, and he used some financial language to explain it to them.

“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, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Notice that each member of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is active in your salvation. God the Father chose you in Christ before the foundation of the world (see v. 4). “In [Jesus] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (v. 7). The Son redeemed you and cleansed you, then you were “sealed with the Holy Spirit” (v. 13).

Being sealed speaks of two things: ownership and security. In ancient times, people put a wax seal on their purchases, stamped with the name of the owner so they could identify whose property it was.

God put His seal on you. He claims ownership of you, and the Holy Spirit is the proof.

He doesn’t just claim ownership, but also security: He “is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession” (v. 14).

The King James Bible puts it this way: “Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession.” I think that’s a great translation. When you buy a house, they tell you to put earnest money into it, as a guarantee there are more payments to follow. You’re “in earnest.”

You’ve been saved. You have peace. You have purpose. You have security. These are all benefits you receive in coming to Christ.

All the blessings you’ve experienced so far are simply a preview of coming attractions. The Holy Spirit is God's down payment in your life. There’s more to come. What’s going to follow is heaven—a resurrected body, reigning with Christ—an eternity with our Savior.

He put His seal on you. You belong to Him. He owns you. And He gave you enough so you can “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).

One day, you and I will arrive in heaven. Until then, let us live a life in earnest, knowing God’s power, God’s plan, God’s purpose, God's person. Always live with that heavenly reality in mind.