“You were marked with … the … 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.”
Ephesians 1:13-14
Paul spoke on more than one occasion in his letters about a deposit that was made in or for us. What is this “deposit”? You or I might put down a deposit when buying a house, a car, or an engagement ring. It shows our intention to pay for the item in full. We also make deposits into bank accounts to safeguard our money. These begin to get at what Paul is referring to when he uses the term “deposit.”
The “good deposit” phrase that comes up in Paul’s second letter to Timothy is, in short, the gospel. Much of that letter, in fact, is about the urgency to preserve the plain, unaltered news of salvation: that Jesus died to pay the price for our sins, satisfying completely our sin debt, giving us eternal life not contingent on our good works but on His perfect work for us.
Paul is passionate that the gospel would not be hijacked into a works-based salvation. The good deposit of the gospel must be guarded like a treasure of inestimable value. It has been placed in us as God’s guarantee that He will see our hope of eternity through to the end.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rev. David E. Nutting
Rev. David Nutting has served as Senior Pastor of North City Presbyterian Church in Poway, CA, since 2006, and he has been in gospel ministry since 1996. David received a Bachelor of Music degree from Northern Illinois University, a Master of Music degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a Master of Divinity degree from Westminster Seminary in California. He and Priscilla, his wife of 30 years, enjoy road trips and visiting national parks with their three children. One of his great ministry joys is the privilege of preaching God’s Word weekly and seeing lives shaped by the gospel.
The “good deposit” phrase that comes up in Paul’s second letter to Timothy is, in short, the gospel. Much of that letter, in fact, is about the urgency to preserve the plain, unaltered news of salvation: that Jesus died to pay the price for our sins, satisfying completely our sin debt, giving us eternal life not contingent on our good works but on His perfect work for us.
Paul is passionate that the gospel would not be hijacked into a works-based salvation. The good deposit of the gospel must be guarded like a treasure of inestimable value. It has been placed in us as God’s guarantee that He will see our hope of eternity through to the end.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rev. David E. Nutting
Rev. David Nutting has served as Senior Pastor of North City Presbyterian Church in Poway, CA, since 2006, and he has been in gospel ministry since 1996. David received a Bachelor of Music degree from Northern Illinois University, a Master of Music degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a Master of Divinity degree from Westminster Seminary in California. He and Priscilla, his wife of 30 years, enjoy road trips and visiting national parks with their three children. One of his great ministry joys is the privilege of preaching God’s Word weekly and seeing lives shaped by the gospel.
Scripture Focus
2 Corinthians 5:5
Insight
Thank you, Lord, for putting Your “Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come,” as 2 Corinthians 1:22 says. Amen.
Bible In A Year
- Isaiah 43-44
- Psalm 92
- Acts 15
