And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30 [ESV]
Today we start the last 3 capstone verses of Chapter 4. This verse is one of the most heartfelt verses in the bible regarding our behavior and conduct as Christians. Grieving the Holy Spirit is a serious thing to consider. This note by Paul is harkening back to Ephesians chapter 1.
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:13-14[ESV]
When we think of this in context of our salvation, we see that grieving the Holy Spirit is a disrespect of the price Christ paid for our sin; saving us from a death and eternity in hell we deserve. BUT GOD in His grace, mercy, and love has saved us and sealed our destiny in Heaven by His Holy Spirit. I have used this before, so I apologize if it is repetitive, but it fits well here. Imagine your daily life, the things you do when you are in normal execution mode in this world. Are there things that you do that if the trumpet blew, and Jesus came through the clouds to receive us for the rapture, that you would be embarrassed by what you were doing as your eyes catch His?…It is you that He went to the cross for. It is you that He has interceded for in the throne room of heaven. This thought haunts me. I would never want my Savior to return only to find me doing something He has so clearly instructed me not to do in His word.
Application:
I never want to be doing something in my redeemed life that would dishonor or be found unbecoming of a follower of Jesus Christ. Lord help me by the work of the Holy Spirit to see when I am on the precipice of making a decision like this so I can, in all clarity of heart and mind, chose You and Your glory to honor, rather than my pride or fleshly desires.
Today’s Psalm:
Wait for the LORD and keep his way,
Psalms 37:34 [ESV]
and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
you will look on when the wicked are cut off.