The PLEDGE & The KOINONIA & The SAVIOR
“For indeed, we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.
(2 Corinthians 5: 4-5 NASB)
Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God,
Who gave us the Spirit as a pledge.”
The PLEDGE
During the course of life, we may find ourselves buying a home maybe once or twice, or if we have a career that causes us to move, then quite possibly we will find ourselves selling and buying new homes. As we wait, we find ourselves wanting to guarantee that the house is not purchased by another homebuyer as we are waiting for the whole process to finalize; therefore, we pay “earnest” money. This money we pay the seller is a “promise.” Then the wait begins because we are not given the right to move into our newly purchased home right away, but we must wait. The “moving in” comes later—once everything has been settled. For now, we have the deposit, the pledge.
That’s how it is with believers. We live within this body, “this tent,” and as we age, as we walk through our days within this world filled with sinful people (like us), we groan by the burden of life upon this earth but then comes eternity in heaven with God.
For some, the unbelievers, the lost, the ones who do not belong to God, the ones who do not know Jesus as their Savior, the life here on earth is their everything, but then comes eternity separated from God’s presence.
Nevertheless, for the Christian, this vessel, this tent, this body is “unclothed, but [we await with HOPE]. One day, we will “be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.” [We received LIFE through Jesus who clothes us with His righteousness]
- God Himself is the One who prepared us for this “clothing.” &
- Jesus Himself is the One who overcame death so we might receive this “clothing.” &
- The Holy Spirit is the One who dwells within us “as a pledge” until the day God brings us home to heaven.
Truly, it is astounding that anyone would ever choose to not—believe in God!
Assuredly, it is difficult to comprehend why every single person does not place their—trust in Jesus!
Quite perplexing is that anyone would ever desire to walk through his lifetime without the presence of the—Spirit of God dwelling within!
Ryan Ellis sings the melody “Heart of the Father,” a song that reminds us—What an unbelievable gift we have received!
Pause to listen. Be blessed as you do.
God Himself pledged to us that He will be with us forever, and our forever began at the moment of our salvation!
We know this to be true because God places His Holy Spirit within us as a pledge!
Oh Wow!
As we listen, all we can do is “sing praise.”
The “Heart of the Father” is revealed to us through His Holy Spirit!
Truly, we must raise our hands & “sing praise” to the KING of Kings!
The KOINONIA
While we remain alive here on earth, we will struggle, and we will find ourselves “groaning” as we remain alive within “this tent.” So, God blesses us with the opportunity to share life with other believers, to walk in fellowship, sharing with them our daily struggles, our burdens, and our prayer requests. We enjoy koinonia as we await the day the Father will bring us home.
Truly, it is difficult to understand why any person would ever want to walk through this life without a church family. The other day, someone was struggling and needed encouragement. She asked so many questions as she wrestled with a situation. I spoke to her about my church family, a concept that she has seen within my life for several years. In our conversation, we spoke about her biological family in trying to help her understand the concept of a family given to us by God at His Salvation!
The Apostle John wrote about this within his first letter. Pause as we read together God’s Word.
“What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life—
(1 John 1: 1-4 NASB)
and the life was revealed, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was revealed to us—
what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us, and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
These things we write so that our joy may be complete.”
- Have we ever doubted our future in Heaven?
What do we do with those doubts?
- Have we ever struggled with burdens found within this life?
What do we do with those burdens?
Thank You Father,
for Your pledge, Your promise, Your Hope—we find through the presence of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.
Thank You Father,
for Your family, Your fellowship, Your koinonia—we find through the presence of the brothers and sisters in Christ we are surrounded with as we walk through life.
Father, we are so blessed to experience a Christian community that stretches across the face of the earth.
Yes, Father God, we are so humbled to receive the presence of God who dwells within us at the moment we receive His Gift of Salvation.
The SAVIOR.
(Luke 19: 38 NASB)
On this day set aside to shout and proclaim “Hosanna.”
“BLESSED IS the King, THE ONE WHO
COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD;
Peace in heaven and glory
in the highest!”