A Perfect Down-payment

Many purchases and rental agreements require a down-payment or a deposit. This ensures that the buyer is serious about paying the remaining amount and gives assurance that whatever is purchased will belong to him. If the deal falls through, the deposit is usually refunded.

However, there is one transaction where there is no refund because the deal cannot fail. This began with a promise from Jesus concerning the down-payment:

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” (John 15:26–27)

Just before Jesus ascended, He repeated the promise:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Not everyone is in on this deal to receive the Holy Spirit. It is for those who believe the Gospel . . .

“Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2:38)

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’ — so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:13–14)

This deal has an amazing deposit or down-payment delivered at the instant the promise and invitation are believed and received by faith. This deposit guarantees the total package: a life of walking in forgiveness and eternal life with Jesus. This deposit or down-payment is the Holy Spirit, my guarantee of all that God offers. Because of Him, I know that all the gifts of God are mine, even before they are in my possession.

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13–14)

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Jesus, this is all to the praise of Your glory! Nothing I could do will qualify me for this agreement with You. You saw my need and my helplessness. You gave Your life that I might live.

All hail King Jesus

All hail Emmanuel

King of Kings

Lord of Lords

Bright Morning Star

And throughout eternity

I’ll sing Your Praises

And I’ll reign with You throughout eternity.

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Note: AV Node Ablation scheduled for tomorrow, then they activate my pacemaker. Am told my life will change — in one day no less. A bit nervous. A bit excited. Very thankful that this can be done, especially in one of the world’s finest heart clinics. God blesses me beyond all expectations!