Nougat 18

I remember discovering the existence of earnest as an old financial expression. It was as if my world had burst into a kaleidoscope of possibilities. Strangely, the context of the discovery has long been forgotten; but every so often (okay a lot more than usual these days) I find reasons to use the term. And the forever bestest reason is in regard to today’s Holy Nougat

“and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.” 2 Corinthians 1:22 NLT

Back in the day, an earnest was a guarantee, a down payment on an item of significant value. It told the vendor that the payee was serious about the investment and the balance of payment was secured (see earnest payment when you have a moment). I also surmised that an earnest is also about trust. The vendor has to trust that the buyer has the capacity to complete the transaction (and thus be willing to await the balance instead of selling to another); and the buyer has to trust that the seller won’t do anything underhand to renege on the deal.

In offering the Holy Spirit as earnest to us, it is as though God is assuring us that there’s more to come. The irony is, God’s not obliged to prove God’s integrity, for God’s actions throughout the course of personal and collective human history ought to satisfactorily speak for God. And, as our Creator, God ought not have had to ‘purchase’ us. For we humans were originally created by God to be a slightly different life form from all other Created beings. We were like the angels, but not quite; and like all placed lovingly on the earth for our benefit, but with some enhancements.

But Sin interfered.

And ever since, the course of History was disrupted.

The egregious (extremely horrific) nature of our sin (assuming that we are/can be God) continues to take us from under God’s direct guardianship. While Jesus’ death is essential for purchasing us back to God’s guardianship and control; our Faith has also been hard hit by the implications of human sin. It is as though God has had to prove God’s existence, intent and even God’s integrity to us time and time again.

By way of God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit (for many other spirits exist), God assures us

• God is Real

• God still wants us around

• God’s gifts are True and secure

• God’s promises are to be believed

• God (in Jesus) will deliver us from our Sins

Now that’s an earnest!

Can we see past the haze of sin including unbelief to God’s Truth? And when convinced of God’s Truth by God’s Spirit, what next?

— May all we seek be found in Christ