God’s Direct Deposit to the Heart

After placing my brunch order one Sunday after church, I removed my eyeglasses. When one of the “arms” snapped cleanly off the frame, I groaned and added a visit to Pearl Vision Center tomorrow to my must-do list.

Alas, the glasses couldn’t be repaired. Because I depend on my eyeglasses, I had to buy new ones.

After an eye exam, I selected a new pair. The tech took me through the order process as she tallied the cost.

Sticker shock.

I’m pretty sure my first car cost less. I paid a deposit of half the total cost to guarantee assembly and shipment. Once delivered, I’d pay the balance and own the glasses.

Was I ready to proceed? 

I had no other choice.

As I read my Bible later in the day, using an old pair of glasses, a verse grabbed my attention.

In 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NIV), Paul writes:

[God] set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Ownership. Deposit. Guarantee.

The three irritating words heard during my morning’s purchase now soothed me. Comforting words, positive and hopeful.

Let’s break them down:

1. Own:

God set his seal of ownership on us.”

belonging to oneself;used to express immediate or direct kinship;to have or hold as property;to have power or mastery over;to acknowledge to be true, valid, or as claimed;

God’s ownership as creator extends over all things. Those who have received the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ are doubly owned by God, since Jesus purchased our redemption through His death and resurrection. How calming it is to belong to God, to know we have direct kinship with Him.

2. Deposit

“and put his spirit in our hearts as a deposit.”

to place especially for safekeeping, or as a pledge;to lay down;to offer, to give; to put

God’s deposit is His Spirit, and what a gift this is. Everything that happens between God and us happens through the work of the Holy Spirit. It’s a down payment that reaps many rewards. Regular contact with the Spirit keeps us on God’s path, draws us into intimacy with Him, and produces the fruit of life (Galatians 5:22-33).

3. Guarantee

“guaranteeing what is to come.”

to undertake to answer for the debt, default;to give security to;undertake to do or secure;to assert confidently;a pledge; a part payment in advance

God’s guarantee is the promise that we will remain in God’s possession throughout this life and into eternity. He will never forsake us or let us down. Also signified here is the debt Jesus incurred for us on the cross.

When we invest money, our hope is to earn dividends and interest. God invests in us when He deposits His spirit into our heart. Our role is to work for Him, increasing His kingdom, helping to spread His love.

How will you work for God today?

God's Direct Deposit to the Heart #ChristianLiving Share on X