When someone believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, which is the news of the Gospel, they become a child of God. Their sins are forgiven, they are put into the family of God, and they are given a new nature.

The new nature is the Person of the Holy Spirit. He moves into the heart of the individual and makes him or her a “new creature in Christ” (II Cor. 5:17). The above verses reveal that the Holy Spirit becomes our “seal,” or evidence of ownership by God Himself.

He is in the newly saved person “until the redemption of the purchased possession.” The redemption spoken of here is not a reference to salvation, but to the time when Jesus comes to take His people to glory. This speaks of the Rapture.

The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit becomes the “earnest,” or downpayment of salvation. His presence and working in your life is proof that you have been purchased by the blood of Christ. Romans 8:9 says that “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

He will be there in your heart until the Rapture and will not leave before it takes place. This guarantees salvation.

Certainly, it is something to praise Him for. Like He said in Hebrews 13:5: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

It needs to be remembered on this Good Friday, that the crucifixion was not an accident or unforeseen event in God’s plan. It was the main part of it.

To the Jews, the Scriptures seemed to present two irreconcilable views of the Savior (Messiah). One pictured Him as a reigning King Who would reign forever, the other picture revealed One Who would suffer and die.

Even though Jesus told His disciples multiple times that it would happen, it did not fit with their understanding of the coming of Christ. This resulted in great disillusionment when it happened. The day came when it was fulfilled. Jesus was put on a Cross between two thieves – as it was prophesied hundreds of years before.

Even the details about His clothes were fulfilled and they cast lots (dice) for His clothes (Psalm 22:18). It was also prophesied that they would give Him gall and vinegar to drink (Psalm 69:21).

Jesus’ crucifixion was the focal point of God’s redemption of the human race. He died to take our place so that no one must go to Hell. Since the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), Jesus died to take our place – the Spotless One for the guilty.

By believing on His death as your Substitute and His resurrection, you can be saved. Call on Him today to forgive and save you. Do not wait, for time is limited.