Do Not Grieve Him, Part 2 | From Salvation to Surrender
Key Thought | Security in salvation is not found in systems or labels, but in a living relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Key Scripture | “And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:30-32 NLT
We are looking at this beautiful scripture this week; and today, I want to go a little deeper.
“Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.”
This one sentence is powerful in our understanding and our belief. Paul is reminding us that the Holy Spirit has been given as a deposit or down payment for our future redemption. Earlier in Ephesians, Paul says it this way.
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” – Ephesians 1:13-14 NKJV
For many years, I’ve said that good theology was never meant to be my security in salvation. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. That’s Paul’s point. Our assurance is not rooted in knowledge alone, but in a living relationship with the Spirit who seals us and secures us in the triune God.
People try to shore up their salvation in many different ways—through good works, by striving to be “good enough,” by leaning on theological phrases like “once saved, always saved,” or by resting in doctrines such as predestination. Depending on your background, you may find yourself in one of those camps. But Scripture points us to something deeper than a system or a statement. The surest assurance is not found in a position we defend, but in a relationship we cultivate—the living, ongoing relationship with the Holy Spirit.
You might be asking a very fair question at this point: “Aaron, don’t I receive the Holy Spirit when I’m saved?” The answer is yes, you do. But like any relationship, it is never meant to remain static. It is meant to grow, deepen, and mature over time.
Salvation is the starting point of a new and beautiful journey—one where I am no longer the one guiding my life, but the Holy Spirit is. He begins to direct my actions, confront my heart, and, perhaps most challenging of all, control my tongue.
Remember Jesus' words…
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” – John 16:13-14 NKJV
The question we should all ask is simply: “Is He guiding me, or am I still guiding me?”
What I can promise you is this: He will not follow you, and He most certainly will not follow me. If we truly want to know Him, it will only come as we choose to follow Him.
Prayer | Holy Spirit, thank You for sealing me and securing my salvation. Thank You that my confidence is not rooted in my performance, but in Your presence within me. Forgive me for the times I have tried to guide my own life while still expecting You to bless my direction. Teach me to follow You more closely. Search my heart, shape my actions, and guard my words. Deepen our relationship, and lead me into the security that comes from walking with You daily. Amen.
Reflection
Key Scripture | “And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:30-32 NLT
We are looking at this beautiful scripture this week; and today, I want to go a little deeper.
“Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.”
This one sentence is powerful in our understanding and our belief. Paul is reminding us that the Holy Spirit has been given as a deposit or down payment for our future redemption. Earlier in Ephesians, Paul says it this way.
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” – Ephesians 1:13-14 NKJV
For many years, I’ve said that good theology was never meant to be my security in salvation. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. That’s Paul’s point. Our assurance is not rooted in knowledge alone, but in a living relationship with the Spirit who seals us and secures us in the triune God.
People try to shore up their salvation in many different ways—through good works, by striving to be “good enough,” by leaning on theological phrases like “once saved, always saved,” or by resting in doctrines such as predestination. Depending on your background, you may find yourself in one of those camps. But Scripture points us to something deeper than a system or a statement. The surest assurance is not found in a position we defend, but in a relationship we cultivate—the living, ongoing relationship with the Holy Spirit.
You might be asking a very fair question at this point: “Aaron, don’t I receive the Holy Spirit when I’m saved?” The answer is yes, you do. But like any relationship, it is never meant to remain static. It is meant to grow, deepen, and mature over time.
Salvation is the starting point of a new and beautiful journey—one where I am no longer the one guiding my life, but the Holy Spirit is. He begins to direct my actions, confront my heart, and, perhaps most challenging of all, control my tongue.
Remember Jesus' words…
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” – John 16:13-14 NKJV
The question we should all ask is simply: “Is He guiding me, or am I still guiding me?”
What I can promise you is this: He will not follow you, and He most certainly will not follow me. If we truly want to know Him, it will only come as we choose to follow Him.
Prayer | Holy Spirit, thank You for sealing me and securing my salvation. Thank You that my confidence is not rooted in my performance, but in Your presence within me. Forgive me for the times I have tried to guide my own life while still expecting You to bless my direction. Teach me to follow You more closely. Search my heart, shape my actions, and guard my words. Deepen our relationship, and lead me into the security that comes from walking with You daily. Amen.
Reflection
- When the Holy Spirit gently convicts or nudges me, do I respond with openness and surrender—or defensiveness and delay?
- What is one specific decision, conversation, or habit this week where I can intentionally pause and ask, “Holy Spirit, how are You leading me here?” and then follow through in obedience?
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Posted in Devotional
Posted in Pastor Aaron, Holy Spirit, Identity in Christ, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Maturity
Posted in Pastor Aaron, Holy Spirit, Identity in Christ, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Maturity
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