Written by Paul Lane
The Word
13 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, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV)
Reflection
As it turns out, I recently found myself shopping for an apartment, an arduous task for someone who has lived in a house for a few decades. A temporary need, I assure you, but the concept of a deposit is readily at hand. It seems that those renting apartments are concerned that some damage will occur to their property while the place is rented out. So, they insist that a certain amount of money be offered up to stand against any damages that might occur. Having three children who are complete angels and who have never broken a window (except the one in the front door) or who have never written on walls (except in their bedrooms, in their bathroom, or the living room), I’m not sure I see the point. But I accept that it is standard practice.
So, as it is laid out in the contract, lease that is, this deposit enables me to enjoy the benefit of someone else’s property and live in it as if it were my own. Of course, with an apartment there is the monthly rent, but in Ephesian’s 1:14 this deposit is more expansive. I like the wording in the NIV; “…who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession….” In this, I think it is clearer that this deposit stands against a greater claim. Here, it is not the benefit of someone else’s property that I may enjoy, but rather my property that I may enjoy.
It is a strange journey to go from convicted criminal awaiting retribution to a ward of the King with an appointed regent. For in Christ I am a child, immature for my own account. The Holy Spirit stands as regent in the gap of my immaturity and in the gulf of my retribution. But my immaturity is not forever for the Holy Spirit watches over my growth, and I do grow. The windows in my life become unbroken, the graffiti on the walls of my heart become rewritten, and the song of my soul is made appropriate for the house of the Lord.
Application
Attend your heart. Think on something that has been written on it that does not fit with the plans God has for you. Pray that the Holy Spirit to lead you into a new thought. For this new thought, embrace it as part of your inheritance in the kingdom of heaven.
Prayer
Dear Lord, I confess that Your ways are higher than my ways, but I also understand that my ways are to become Your ways, and that this is part of the process that elevates me to what You intend for me. I pray for the wisdom to seek Your ways and the strength to release my ways, that I might truly be a child of the kingdom and bring praise to Your glorious grace. Amen.
City Life Starter 
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