Ephesians 1:14 The Spirit is the guarantee [the first installment, the pledge, a foretaste] of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own [purchased] possession [His believers], to the praise of His glory. AMP

I have read this passage many times and I must admit that today’s reading left me with a different impression than I’ve ever had before. All my thoughts in the past had been about the purchase. Some versions have it as a down payment. That would imply that final payment is due but Christ already purchased us with His precious blood. (1 Peter 1:19)

Ephesians 1:14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. NIV

The NIV version of the bible uses the word deposit. The use of deposit does not lend itself to support the issue of possession. It sounds more like a savings plan. (pun intended)

Look to the installment. It did not go to the seller. It was made in us. We have in us only the first installment of our inheritance to come. That is the Holy Spirit and He is but a taste of the glory to come. This line of thought lends itself nicely with deposit, and since it is the first installment only, it is not the only deposit.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Here is a last thought on the Lord making a deposit in us, like a savings account. All savings accounts have a yield rate, a return on investment.

What is your interest rate?

Genesis 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

I am a new creation in Christ Jesus, a man with a new heart and a new character, but I still have an imagination. My imagination does not run toward evil, but it is imagination none the less. Even in those things that are good to think upon, not every good imagination is worthy of sharing.

How do I know this? Because I have sound people of quiet character, with peaceful minds, and sound of mind to act as a sounding board for these imaginations. If they have value, the thought will expand into reasonable conversations, take form and order. In order, value is found.

Sometimes just uttering the words aloud to another gives light to the unsoundness of that imagination. The trick is to let it go because it has no value.

“Well in my head it sounded good.”

That may very well be true but of what value is it to the kingdom if the hearer is made to feel uncomfortable? Close counselors will understand and reason with you, while others will pull back. The issue of sound speech must always be to form stronger bonds, not weaken them.

While I am struggling with coming to a closer relationship with Christ, my greatest allies are my brothers and sisters in Christ who support me in faith, grace, and love. Not every thought is a gem and I should not hold them precious just because they were mine.