The Fifth Sermon on the First Chapter - Ephesians 1:13-14

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."- Ephesians 1:13-14

We have thus far observed how St. Paul unequivocally declares that the foundation of our salvation rests solely on God's boundless goodness. We must not seek elsewhere for the cause of His choice, why He selects one and not another. It is incumbent upon us to be content with His pure will, His unwavering purpose, and His unalterable decree. Those who venture beyond this boundary will inevitably fall into a perilous abyss through their own recklessness, discovering that those who do not honor God's majesty and His secret counsel with profound humility and reverence are ensnared in confusion. Therefore, when we seek the source of our salvation, we must learn to ascribe it entirely to God.

Certainly, to become God's children and heirs, we must belong to the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is attained through faith. However, we cannot have faith in the gospel unless God, through His Holy Spirit, draws us near. We can observe that God does not treat all individuals alike, as He could have easily illuminated the entire world and eradicated all unbelief, yet we see the contrary. Therefore, we must firmly believe that He chooses as He pleases. If someone were to inquire about the reason for His choice, it would be a grave error of pride. This is precisely why so many presumptuous individuals stumble into their own downfall, for they cannot bring themselves to acknowledge that God governs humanity according to His own will, a prerogative He rightfully possesses.

Furthermore, St. Paul has placed both Jews and Gentiles on an equal footing in our examination thus far, a topic that warrants more extensive consideration. While God chose the descendants of Abraham, it might be mistakenly inferred that they possessed some inherent merit. Indeed, if we contemplate the grace bestowed upon the Jews, they stand far above the rest of the world. However, if we assess them in their intrinsic state, we find them devoid of righteousness. The fundamental point to remember is that God is under no obligation to any individual, and His reception of the Jews through free adoption is not due to their greater worthiness or for them to boast in themselves. Hence, St. Paul explicitly asserts that those who believed in Jesus Christ in times past are included in God's election, just like the others. Therefore, no one can boast of being more deserving or having earned more than others. It is imperative to understand that both Jews and Gentiles were chosen by God as He saw fit, and that mercy alone should be considered in this regard. This serves to silence all objections and prevent anyone from asserting that they contributed anything of their own to this divine plan.

Now, as St. Paul delves into this comparison between the Jews and the Gentiles, he points out that if one considers God's choice of the Jews as His heritage, they were indeed a holy lineage. God had bestowed upon them His law and promises, elevating them above all others He had rejected and forsaken. However, when we direct our focus towards God Himself, all human boasting must cease. In that context, St. Paul specifically addresses the forgiveness of our sins and our acceptance of God's grace through faith. He emphasizes that these blessings cannot be attributed to anything other than God's profound compassion. As we've seen in the Epistle to the Galatians, St. Paul reminded Peter that they were Jews by birth. Yet, despite this, their only refuge and assurance of salvation lay in believing in Jesus Christ. St. Paul knew that humanity, by its nature, was utterly ruined and lost, bringing nothing but God's wrath and curse. Therefore, just as he previously demonstrated in other passages, St. Paul aims to dispel any delusions of human merit or worthiness. To firmly establish this doctrine, eliminate disputes, and quell objections, he directs us to the source: God not only bestows faith upon whom He pleases but also elected and chose us before the world's creation. In essence, all individuals, from the greatest to the least, are indebted to God, and there is no one so holy or esteemed who can claim exemption from this universal condition.

Furthermore, St. Paul extols God's goodness in that the Ephesians, prior to their belief in the gospel, were brought together and united with those who were previously considered God's people and members of His church. Before their conversion, diversity prevailed among the Ephesians, as elaborated upon in the second chapter. The believing Jews, who had already embraced our Lord Jesus Christ, were as brethren to the angels of heaven, being part of the common Head. Meanwhile, the Ephesians, in their wretched state, were shut off from any hope of salvation, enemies of God, and destined for destruction. Despite these differences, God removed that diversity and incorporated them into one body. God's goodness was vividly displayed as He rescued those who had been steeped in the depths of despair, making them partakers and heirs of His heavenly kingdom alongside His own children. This is why St. Paul, after discussing those who had believed in Jesus Christ previously, explicitly emphasizes that God has gathered and established His church in such a way that it becomes evident that even the greatest among us entirely depend on His pure mercy. Those who were seemingly cast aside and hated now have reason to glorify Him, having been delivered from their state of confusion.

Additionally, St. Paul demonstrates that the truth of what he previously stated is evident through the effects of God's grace. Our election, as mentioned earlier, is a hidden and incomprehensible matter. When people attempt to investigate it to the fullest extent, they are inevitably overwhelmed by their own thoughts, realizing that they cannot fathom the eternal counsel of God. Therefore, we must not venture beyond where the Scriptures guide us and reveal the way. Thus, God's choice of us remains concealed within Himself, yet He provides evidence of it through the gifts of grace He bestows, such as faith, a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Now, even if this were merely a gift similar to when He makes His sun shine upon both the good and the bad, or when He causes the earth to yield its fruit to all without exception, it would still be counted as one of God's gifts and blessings. However, faith is a unique gift that God does not grant to all in common but reserves as a treasure to be given according to His pleasure. Why does He do this? We all descend from Adam, sharing the same lineage. So, why does He illuminate some while leaving others in their spiritual blindness? There is no other explanation but His election. Hence, although we cannot comprehend through argument or reason how God chose us before the world's creation, we know it because He has revealed it to us. Experience itself strongly supports this when we are enlightened by faith.

Consider this: why do I embrace the gospel and adhere to it while others remain in a beastly stupor or even become hostile to the message of salvation? If I believe it's due to my own wisdom or efforts, I commit sacrilege. We must always return to what we have already recognized and acknowledge, "Who made you superior to others?" Therefore, St. Paul, in this statement, humbles all human pride, ensuring that no one exalts themselves or claims to possess anything of their own. We should not presume that we have inherent worthiness, but rather that everything comes from God. Thus, in this passage, St. Paul illustrates how the Ephesians were chosen by God through their experience. They should anchor their faith entirely on God's free goodness. The proof lies in the fact that they heard the gospel's doctrine and believed it. But how did this happen? St. Paul explains that they had to be sealed by the Holy Spirit. If they were sealed, it implies that the Holy Spirit worked beforehand. Therefore, delving too deeply into the intricate labyrinth of God's eternal counsel is futile. God, in essence, points to how He chose us, provided we are not ungrateful but instead acknowledge the good He has bestowed upon us. We must be fully convinced and resolved within ourselves that the only reason for this is that He sealed us for Himself from all eternity, reserving us as His own children. St. Paul's intent is clear. Let us, therefore, refrain from lengthy preambles when it comes down to confessing that we all possess everything solely through God's pure mercy. Our faith bears witness to this truth, as it is not a product of our human understanding but a gift from above, bestowed only upon those whom He chooses.

Additionally, there are profound truths here that warrant our careful consideration. First and foremost, St. Paul seeks to exalt the grace of the Holy Spirit by emphasizing that we can have no share in our Lord Jesus Christ or in any of the countless blessings He has secured for us unless God imparts our salvation to us through His Holy Spirit. This is a crucial point. St. Paul also underscores the immeasurable benefit bestowed upon us by the gospel, labeling it as 'the word of truth' and 'the gospel of salvation.'

To begin with, he aims to provide us with unwavering assurance so that we may call upon God without hesitation or a troubled conscience. As long as we remain uncertain about whether God loves or despises us, we cannot genuinely and wholeheartedly pray to Him. Consequently, our salvation is jeopardized, as expressed by the prophet Joel. The Holy Scripture consistently teaches that we can only attain salvation by seeking refuge in God through prayer and supplication. This assurance is indispensable, as we will explore more deeply in the third chapter.

Therefore, it is crucial for us to be entirely convinced that God is our Father and that He embraces us as His beloved children. How can we attain such certainty if the gospel's doctrine is not unassailable in every aspect, leaving no room for doubt? This is why St. Paul refers to it as the "word of truth." While there are other truths as well, even when God issues warnings or threats, they are not idle; both His promises and His warnings are faithfully fulfilled. Yet, in this context, the primary aim is to eradicate all unbelief in us, a tendency to which we are inclined. St. Paul designates the gospel as the doctrine of truth, essentially saying, "Dear friends, God is a trustworthy witness of His own will to you through the gospel. Therefore, place your unwavering trust in it." Furthermore, he emphasizes that our salvation is intertwined with the gospel, encouraging us to cherish and hold it dear. After all, who in their right mind would scorn their own well-being? He asserts that all of this flows from God's pure mercy and His eternal election, which remains distant and mysterious to us. Still, we gain knowledge of it through the gospel, which serves as its conduit and instrument.

Therefore, as St. Paul urges, let us firmly rest upon the gospel's doctrine in such a way that it feels as though God is manifestly revealing Himself to us, and the heavens are opening before our eyes. Remember always the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, who declared that when sins are forgiven to men through the proclamation of the gospel, this forgiveness is also ratified in heaven. This should leave us with no doubts regarding whether God will hear our prayers or not. As the gospel teaches us to believe, St. Paul reminds us to treasure it as an invaluable gift, for it is the very power of God unto salvation for all who believe, as he emphasizes in his letter to the Romans.

Considering our own lost and helpless state, with no other means to draw us back to God but through the gospel, we must greatly cherish this treasure and ensure that we derive true benefit from it. In doing so, we should fearlessly reject both the devil himself and all his temptations, for God has called us and provided ample evidence of His fatherly love and goodwill towards us.

Now, let's turn to the second aspect I mentioned. St. Paul asserts that apart from God's willingness to have the gospel preached to us, it is imperative for Him to work through His Holy Spirit and bestow special grace. Some may readily concede that God was motivated by His free grace alone to send us the gospel. However, they may still presume that the reason some accept it while others do not is due to the sway of their own free will, thus diminishing God's grace. God does not offer His grace to us like one would offer an apple to children, where the swiftest recipient claims it. Such a notion would imply that the majority of our salvation is the result of our own power and skill, with praise directed toward ourselves.

After demonstrating that God calls us, both presently and continually, to inherit His heavenly kingdom out of His pure, free grace, St. Paul further emphasizes the necessity of being influenced by His Holy Spirit. Although he discusses only one aspect of the Holy Spirit's grace here, it is because he previously explained the other part. He began by highlighting God's free goodness, from which we are all filled, and revealed that faith springs from the well of free election. Now, regarding the second aspect, he underscores that God's enlightenment of our hearts through His Holy Spirit, transforming us from blindness and inscribing His grace within us to bend our wills to obedience, is insufficient on its own. In addition, God must establish and strengthen us, granting unwavering perseverance to endure until the end.

You can perceive the direction in which St. Paul is guiding us. Beyond receiving faith from the Holy Spirit and the enlightenment by His grace, which I have discussed previously, God also ensures that we remain steadfast and do not fall away. To grasp this concept more deeply, we must first recall what has been explained in more detail before. When God leaves us to our own state and condition, we are like blind wanderers in darkness. No matter what is preached or conveyed to us, we remain unmoved in our ignorance. For the earthly-minded individual cannot comprehend matters related to God or salvation. You can see, therefore, how we are entirely shut out from heavenly light until God takes pity on us and bestows upon us the spirit of enlightenment and understanding. This covers the first point, which has been addressed previously, and I shall not delve further into it.

Now, there is another facet to consider. Once we have embraced God's grace through faith, understanding that our Lord Jesus Christ is the source of all we need for perfect happiness, it becomes crucial for us to be firmly established in this truth. Why is that? We should observe how fickle human beings are. Even those most inclined to follow God will quickly stumble because we are so fragile that the devil seeks to overcome us at every moment. Without God's unwavering support, we would be continuously confounded, not just by a single setback, but by countless falls, as I mentioned earlier. As soon as we set foot on the path to salvation, our frailty, lightness, and inconstancy would promptly divert us if we were not restrained. It is said that God displays His power in upholding us once He has chosen us and entrusted us to our Lord Jesus Christ. Without God's intervention, what would become of us? We would be entirely overcome, not due to one setback alone, but facing an infinite number of falls. The moment we embark on the path of salvation, our own weakness would turn us away from it. It is only through God's work within us, through His Holy Spirit, that we can withstand all the assaults of the devil and the world. God's Spirit serves a dual role in our faith. Firstly, He enlightens us, helping us understand things that would otherwise remain hidden from us, enabling us to receive God's promises with complete obedience. This constitutes the first part of His work. The second part is that the same Spirit is pleased to abide within us, granting us perseverance so that we do not falter on our journey. This is what St. Paul is currently addressing.

It's as if he were saying, "My dear friends, you have experienced the grace of God, and He has drawn you to obey His gospel. You would never have come to it if He hadn't shown you His mercy. Be assured that He not only initiates His grace but also increases it by giving you the strength to persevere. If you had continued for only three days, three years, or even longer, God would have had to sustain you; otherwise, you would have been tossed about like lost souls without any certainty. God has promised to care for you and guide you until you reach the end of your journey and complete your course. That's why he says here that you were sealed by the Holy Spirit. Let's carefully consider the metaphor St. Paul employs. Throughout history, people have endorsed deeds and documents with seals, often using a seal or ring instead of a signature. Wills, covenants, and other agreements were ratified this way.

In this context, St. Paul suggests that we must be sealed in our hearts. Strictly speaking, he should have said that the gospel was sealed. However, to emphasize that our doubt and inconsistency stem from us, and that the gospel is inherently authoritative, he wants to show that God's sealing of His truth is a response to our hard-heartedness. We are like wavering reeds, shaken by every wind, until God strengthens us. Therefore, understand that the Holy Spirit serves as the seal by which God confirms His truth to us.

As I've mentioned before, we are in great need of this assurance. Although we acknowledge that God's Word should be accepted without question or doubt, we often find ourselves wavering. Troubles and annoyances reveal our doubts. If we were truly convinced of God's goodness as He assures us, we wouldn't be so easily shaken by fear when difficulties arise. The trials that shake us demonstrate that we do not fully embrace the gospel as we should. Therefore, God empowers it through His Holy Spirit and engraves it in our hearts with such certainty that our faith remains unshaken by anything the devil may do to undermine it."

We can grasp this concept even more deeply by reflecting on our own weaknesses, as I mentioned earlier. Despite all the reasons in the world, we may never be as fully and perfectly assured as we should be of God's mercy and protection amidst the constant dangers of this world. It's as if we are in a turbulent sea, where winds and storms assail us continually, and we are always at risk of being overwhelmed. How, then, can we stand firm against Satan when we are like defenseless sheep, lacking armor, weapons, or any means of help? How can we find joy in both life and death if we know that Satan can wreak havoc on us unless we are securely sealed? Therefore, in addition to heeding the warning in this text to cast off all presumption and pride so that only God may be praised and magnified, we can also infer from St. Paul's words that we possess the weapons needed to confront and withstand the adversary. Even though our enemy is formidable and resolute, he will never prevail against us as long as we take advantage of what St. Paul conveys here: that God's Spirit seals the truth and the certainty of the gospel's promises within us.

Furthermore, St. Paul employs another metaphor, likening God's Spirit to a deposit. It shouldn't surprise us that St. Paul reinforces this doctrine, as the devil has persistently endeavored, from the dawn of time, to inflate people with vain notions of their own wisdom and strength. Adam's fall occurred because he aspired to ascend beyond his rightful place, desiring to be wiser than God, a desire for which God granted no permission. The same holds true for us, and the devil continues his onslaught. Consider how he deceived humanity through cunning, and his ongoing effort is to convince us of our ability to achieve various things. Consequently, St. Paul had to strip away this false and accursed belief in human free will and self-righteousness, revealing that we are indebted to the Holy Spirit for everything.

Moreover, our dense and worldly nature necessitates that this doctrine be made tangible to us. We are incapable of grasping God's invisible, gracious gifts, just as we cannot perceive or touch them with our physical senses. Thus, St. Paul found it imperative to employ figurative language to illustrate that it is God's Holy Spirit who empowers us to possess the gospel and all its benefits and sustains us in them until the end.

We are familiar with the practice of confirming contracts by providing a deposit, often referred to as earnest money. When dealing with the purchase of lands, houses, inheritances, or goods, even though one's word should suffice, human wickedness is such that if individuals perceive any disadvantage in a matter, they may not hesitate to retract their promises. Therefore, this practice of making a deposit was introduced, serving as a guarantee that the transaction is settled and the contract is unalterable. In this context, St. Paul signifies that God's Spirit functions as an absolute assurance of our salvation. To what end, you may ask? "For your inheritance," he asserts, "until the day of your redemption." It is undeniable that we are already God's heirs, being His children. However, it is crucial to acknowledge what is stated in the eighth chapter of Romans [v. 24]: our salvation is held in hope. Hence, we cannot presently witness or fully relish it, as articulated in the third chapter of Colossians [v. 3], where it is noted that we are like deceased individuals, detached from this world, and our life remains concealed with God in Jesus Christ. Consequently, although we are indeed God's offspring, we do not currently apprehend its complete fruition.

This aligns perfectly with the teaching of St. John in his Epistle: "We know," he affirms, signifying that our faith is unwavering. Nevertheless, he adds that it is not yet realized, and we must await the day when we will be akin to God, a time when we will possess the clarity to fully perceive what we presently hold only in belief [1 John 3:2]. Furthermore, we have discerned how St. Paul expounded in his Second Epistle to the Corinthians that during our earthly sojourn, we are, in a sense, separated from God [2 Corinthians 5:6]. Why is this so? Because we tread the path of hope, not yet seeing the fulfillment as though it were present; instead, we apprehend it through faith. In short, although we have transitioned from death to life, as referenced in the fifth chapter of John [v. 24], we continue to contend against various forms of death besieging us.

St. Paul adeptly bridges both aspects in this passage. On the one hand, he asserts that we have not yet reached our redemption and inheritance; simultaneously, he underscores that we can hold absolute certainty of it and that only our ingratitude prevents us from gloriously embracing God to the fullest. We can confidently affirm that we harbor no doubts about attaining heavenly life because we possess a pledge of it through the Holy Spirit and are so intimately united with our Lord Jesus Christ that all His possessions become ours through faith.

Let us delve deeply into the wisdom conveyed by St. Paul in these words. He affirms that the Holy Spirit serves as our guarantee. Armed with this knowledge, we must foster unwavering confidence in our redemption, an experience that shall fully unfold on the ultimate day. The stark realities of our existence affirm this truth. We are but humble beings, ensnared by the relentless march of decay and corruption, enduring countless tribulations. The world often scorns and ridicules our simple faith. We grapple with hunger and thirst, and on occasion, it appears as if God has forsaken us, subjecting us to His divine silence. To the external eye, we seem utterly insignificant. Such is our outward plight. Thus, in the midst of trials and sorrows that seem ceaseless, we must find solace in the promise of the Holy Spirit as our pledge. Even when the world heaps contempt upon us and subjects us to the crucible of temptations and trials, we can offer praise, as echoed in Romans 8:15, for it assures us that, as confident children of God, we may continue to call upon Him. Though we may be beset by afflictions and torments, our unshaken conviction remains that He is our Father, leading us toward the celestial glory. Even amidst this trial, our hope endures.

Furthermore, we receive counsel to cultivate patience. Recognizing that God has granted us His Holy Spirit as a guarantee, we must quell the impatience that often plagues our hearts. When God deals sternly with us, we tend to murmur and resist suffering. Our human nature bears testimony to our inherent tenderness and sensitivity. Nevertheless, we must patiently endure, for God does not intend for us to traverse the path to His kingdom in a single bound. He guides us through a world replete with thorns and thistles, and we shall encounter manifold trials and tribulations. With such a potent antidote at our disposal, invigorating us with unwavering fortitude through His Holy Spirit, we must be prepared to wage an unrelenting battle until we attain ultimate victory.

While it is true that our faith already exerts some influence, we have not yet fully savored its rewards or witnessed its complete fruition. Hence, we must steadfastly commit ourselves to continuous struggle and lamentation, all the while rejoicing in our hearts. Why, you may ask? Rejoicing in our hearts while echoing the cry of St. Paul, "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" is not an inconsistency. Thus, let each of us mourn and grieve, acknowledging our profound entanglement with sinful desires and numerous vices. Nevertheless, let us never cease to render gratitude to God, contenting ourselves with the provision He has graciously offered, as we await His fulfillment and perfecting of the work He has initiated within us. With His Holy Spirit dwelling within us, bearing the promise that He shall never forsake us until the journey's end, we draw strength and encouragement to endure, triumphing over the manifold miseries of this world as we press onward toward our ultimate destination.

This is precisely why St. Paul speaks with intent about redemption. While it is undeniable that our Lord Jesus Christ is the source of our redemption, granted to us through other passages [1 Cor. 1:30; 1 Tim. 2:6], we have yet to fully experience its profound impact and ultimate realization. Redemption, therefore, comprises a dual aspect—one accomplished in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ and another that awaits unveiling upon His return. In the eighth chapter of Romans [v. 23], St. Paul emphasizes that, despite our groaning and suffering, we should not be disheartened or surprised, for all of creation shares in this state, akin to a woman in the throes of childbirth. We witness how the entire world languishes in corruption due to Adam's transgression. In light of this, let us not waver in our sighs, but rather temper our desires, taking solace in the knowledge that our redemption has been assured through our Lord Jesus Christ. We must trust that He will accomplish in us and for us what He has already achieved in Himself. St. Paul's message is clear: God's Spirit acts as our assurance as we await liberation from this temporal existence and release from the shackles of all forms of suffering, with the burden of sin being the most grievous. Until we are delivered from these trials, we must place our reliance on the indwelling presence of God's Spirit.

Concerning the term 'redemption of purchase,' it can also be interpreted as 'purchased redemption,' a common manner of expression. In the same way that 'the Spirit of promise' signifies the Spirit who fulfills all promises or 'the Spirit of the fear of God' denotes the Spirit that leads us to obedience in His righteousness, 'redemption of purchase' conveys the idea of redemption procured on our behalf. This underscores the importance of experiencing its transformative effects within us, leaving no doubt about what Jesus Christ has accomplished for our benefit and delight. Indeed, His suffering would be utterly meaningless for us if it did not reach us to bring about our salvation and enjoyment. This, then, is the essence of what was achieved in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Yet, during this interim period, we must practice self-restraint, guarding against ingratitude that might lead us to reject the precious gift God has extended—a gift that enables us to rejoice in the midst of our afflictions, for we are assured of our ultimate salvation. We must refrain from complaining against God or uttering blasphemous words. Instead, we should walk in steadfastness until we are liberated from our current state of bondage, ultimately being gathered together in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, let us bow before the majesty of our benevolent God, humbling ourselves and acknowledging our transgressions. Let us pray that He deepens our awareness of these failings to the point of genuine disgust for the corruption within us. As we recognize ourselves as nothing more than an abyss of iniquity, let us learn to seek His righteousness at its source. We must acknowledge that He has revealed Himself as a merciful Father to us. In doing so, we affirm our belief in His predestination of us before the world's inception, which should embolden us to call upon Him with unwavering perseverance, never ceasing in our supplications.

And so, let each of us utter the words, "Almighty God, heavenly Father."