Earnest

While reading Preach My Gospel last night I learned a whole new doctrine I have never even heard of before. It is still blowing my mind. It is the idea of earnest and how it pertains to the Holy Ghost.

Bible Dictionary:
A pledge or security. The word thus translated is a commercial term denoting the deposit paid by a buyer on entering into an agreement for the purchase of anything. As used by Paul (2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:14) it means that the Lord gives us his Holy Spirit in this life as a foretaste of the joy of eternal life. The Spirit is also the Lord’s surety that he will fulfill his promise to give eternal life to the faithful.


Ephesians 1:14
"Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."


I had a friend also give me the analogy of it being like a down payment from the Lord. He gives us a taste of eternal life through the Holy Ghost although we do not have the full knowledge and blessings yet in this life. It's God's promise to us of greater things to come.