Ephesians 1:13-14: And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having 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 the praise of his glory.
In verse 13 Paul tells the Ephesian believers that they were included in Christ. Two things caused this to happen. First of all, they heard the word of truth. Secondly, they believed.
In Romans 10 Paul wrote about the importance of hearing the Word of God. Romans 10:14: How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Then verse 17 says, Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
The preaching of the Word of God is necessary for people to have faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus commanded the church to go into all the world and to preach the gospel to every nation. Why? Because they cannot receive the gift of salvation until they hear the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We receive the gift of his grace through faith. And faith only comes from hearing the Word of God. Faith is necessary to receive any of the promises and benefits of our covenant with God.
In Luke 6 the writer records the story of a large crowd coming to Jesus. Verse 18 explains why they came from far and wide. Who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Jesus spoke the gospel of the kingdom which included the good news about God's healing power. The people heard Jesus speak that word, and as they heard the word, faith rose in their hearts. They heard the word, then they believed the word, and then they received the healing power of God. Luke 6:18b-19: Those troubled by evil spirits were cured, and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.
It is vital that all the world hear the good news of the gospel. And for those of us who are believers, it is vital that we hear the Word of God daily. It is good to listen to preachers and teachers via television, or radio, or cassette tape. It is very important to regularly gather as part of a church family and hear the pastor proclaim a balanced diet of the Word of God.
But you can hear the Word every day of the week without listening to a sermon. Read the Word daily, and learn to read the Word aloud. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Let your ears hear your mouth reading the eternal word.
We are commanded in the Bible to meditate upon the Word. One definition of meditation is to mutter. You can take a verse from the Word, and think about that verse, and mutter that verse for an extended period of time. You can do that while in the shower, or while driving the car, or while taking a walk. Think on that verse, and mutter that verse. As you mutter your physical and spiritual ears are hearing the Word of God. And as you hear, faith is growing.
In verse 14 Paul goes on to say to after believing we are marked by the Holy Spirit. He said that the Holy Spirit is given as a deposit that guarantees our ultimate total redemption.
A deposit, or what some call earnest money, may be given when you intend to purchase some property. If you back out of your commitment to purchase, then you lose your deposit.
In this passage Paul explains a powerful reality. God actually gives himself as a deposit. The Holy Spirit is God himself coming to guarantee your ultimate redemption.
God sent His Son to die for our sins. Then He gives the Holy Spirit to live in us. God himself has chosen to live in the believer.
To hear the word of the gospel, and then to believe, brings God himself into our lives. We have his presence now, and we have him as a deposit of God's total and complete redemption in the future. We are blessed indeed.
Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org