If You Being Evil - Ephesians 1:11-14

1:11-14 - If the gentile can understand that the gospel has been meant for them from the beginning, even before the earth was created, then they would have to also accept that God’s plan for them continues on after this life as well. Paul explains that through Christ, “in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” Paul also makes a connection between hearing “the gospel of your salvation” and trusting in Christ. I know that the word “hearing” sounds passive and that it takes more than that to be converted but going to the NIV for more clarity, it continues, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession- to praise of his glory.” This is an interesting concept, especially since I really had no idea what Paul was talking about. The article on this chapter from gospeldoctrine.com quotes Robert L. Millet explaining this verse using the example of buying a home. He talks about “earnest money” which is where you put a small, but substantial amount of money down showing that you are not only “interested” in the house but so committed to buying it that you’re willing to sacrifice a small amount of money in case it doesn’t work out. The article quotes him saying, “We made a goodwill payment to the owner of the home, a small amount, to be sure, but an amount sufficient to evidence our seriousness about purchasing the place. The amount was called earnest money. It was a token payment, a gesture indicating our desire to acquire that home, a promissory note of sorts. God works with us in a similar way. He communicates to us that we are following a proper course by sending his Spirit. The Holy Ghost thus represents God’s ‘earnest money’ on us, his down payment, his goodwill gesture and assurance to us that he is serious about saving us and that one day he will own us and claim us fully as his.” The gift of the Holy Ghost serves at least two purposes. First, it is our assurance that God is serious about his commitment to us, because he’s making a vested effort into our spiritual growth. Secondly, feeling the Spirit lets us know that we are doing the right stuff. It’s not indicating that we are perfect, but that we are trying our best and that our efforts are acceptable to God. We know we can’t be perfect, and that all we are asked to do it try our best to be obedient, but that’s not quantifiable, it’s not measuring our steps on the Sabbath, or not committing adultery. “Our best” is completely subjective, and even we are usually too harsh of a judge for ourselves. So, this begs the question, how are we supposed to be able to tell if our “best” is good enough, even if we think that it is not? The article asks, “Do you fell the influence of the Holy Ghost in your life? Do you enjoy the gifts of the Spirit? Then you can know that God accepts your faith, repentance, and baptism and has agree that ‘(you) may always have his Spirit to be with (you).’ This is perhaps one reason why the Holy Ghost is called the Comforter, because if we enjoy that gift, we can know what our efforts are acceptable- for now- and that we are justified before God by our faith in Christ. And that is comfort indeed.” I love that this is the measuring stick of progress. I love that it’s not perfection and I love that it’s actually something significant. What I mean by that is, God does not allow us to be perfect in this life, but often we are unwilling to accept failure in ourselves, and the inability to be perfect in this life is a gift. So if we are unhappy with our spirituality but we can still feel the Spirit with us, then we can know that we should be satisfied with our progress. This has happened to me several times in the last couple of weeks, where I am disappointed in myself or angry with myself because I should know better or should be doing better or feel like I should be further along spiritually. It’s honestly something I have to ask myself, “if God really mad at me about this?” What has helped me is asking myself, if I were my daughter going through the same thing, would I be mad at her? And of course, the answer is “absolutely not.” I think about all the reasons why I would be so proud of her for being strong and for doing her best when she just wants to curl up into a corner and cry. And then I remember Matthew 7:11 where Jesus says, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.” If I could look at my child going through what I go through and have love, compassion, and pride for their amazingness, then how much more is Heavenly Father able to love me perfectly despite my flaws. It’s been a difficult but tender time for me.