The Down Payment

The Down Payment
Words of Faith 9-30-25
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2025
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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2 Corinthians 5
[5] Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

      Okay. So we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. We may go through difficulties and even groan in longing to be with the Lord, and be swallowed up by life. But how can we be sure of all this? Is this just some pipe dream? A mind trick? Paul tells us. We can be sure of all this because the Lord had paid down a deposit, a down payment.

      We are familiar with deposits and down payments. Many purchases start with a down payment. A down payment obligates a buyer to finish the purchase or forfeit the deposit. We may call it "earnest money" because it shows a genuine interest beyond talk. In fact, we often make such a deposit when purchasing a house, car, or piece of property.

       That is precisely what the Greek word here describes, a non-refundable deposit. In Greek life, such a down payment was an amount costly enough to "guarantee" that the purchaser would return to conclude the contract and pay the remaining balance. That is precisely what God has done in the giving of His Spirit. He left His Spirit with us as a deposit, a down payment, a guarantee.

      We are also familiar with a "damage deposit". When renting a house, apartment, equipment, or a car, we are often required to put down a damage deposit. This deposit is different because it guarantees that one will put things in order or repair any damage to the satisfaction of the other party. We can similarly apply the Greek because, although the Lord has never ever damaged us, He has left His Spirit as a damage deposit, a guarantee that repairs and restoration are being made. That is really good news.

       God made us for the very purpose of belonging to Him, and He has left this deposit to guarantee His return at which time He will conclude the transaction. In the meantime, He also guarantees His personal work to heal, repair, and restore any damage that has occurred. That deposit is His Spirit.

      Since the Spirit of God is Himself, He has left something more valuable than anything. For us, it would be like pledging yourself, your very being, the obligation of your life. The Lord must return because He cannot forfeit such a deposit. He cannot forfeit Himself. Yes. It is guaranteed. He is coming back for us because He lives in us.

        Paul began this letter by saying that God has "set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come" (1:22). The Spirit of God is a comfort and strength for us, but He is also the surety bond and absolute guarantee of His return.  

         In the life of each Christian, God has begun the transforming process that will one day culminate in possessing a heavenly body and perfect Christlikeness. The surety of that consummation is the Holy Spirit, whose presence and transforming work form the beginning and guarantee the completion of God's gracious salvation.

         The down payment is at work in us. The Spirit at work in us is shaping and preparing us. The surety bond is molding us into who God wants us to be. 

         Father God, mold me and shape me today as I await Your return for me. Make me into a Christlike image that reflects You every day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.    

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2025 Jeffrey D. Hoy.