"I Promise" (Ephesians 1:14)

EPHESIANS 1:14, "...you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise..."

GOOD AS GOLD

It used to be that a person's word was "as good as gold", and a handshake would seal a deal, to the point, that almost no one would even consider going back on their word. In other words, If somebody said they were going to do something, no one would question the fact. It was a done deal. Everyone knew that whatever was agreed upon, would most certainly be carried through. In fact, to not keep your word, would put you in a position of being shunned by the community you were a part of; segregated and ostracized, as a person of the lowest moral character, because, if your word was no good, than you were no good.

LEGAL INDUSTRY

The reality is, a person that does not keep their word, is still one of low moral character, completely untrustworthy, in business or any interpersonal relationship. However, it is much more common place for people to renege on their commitments, whether in business or relationships, to the extent, that it has spawned a whole legal industry of leases and contracts, to try to "force" people to live up to their commitments, and actually do what they said they would do.

TRY

Even in time and appointment commitments, people will say, "I promise, I will try to be there". By the very word "try", you know there is a good probability that the individual will not show up.

PROMISE

Quite honestly, "promise" and "try", are almost exclusively opposite terms. In a lot of cases, when people "promise" something, their lack of good character reduces the word to a mere suggestion of decreasing probability.

LEGAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The word promise, in the scriptures, is (epaggelia) [1860, Strong's], and is rooted in terminology related to a legal "announcement" or proclamation; a decree, generally given by the king, of some positive action that was to take place, for the benefit of the people. The certainty of the "promise" announced, was based on the authority issuing the proclamation.

POLITICAL

It later developed a political use, where candidates for office would "promise" certain benefits, if elected to the post or position they were seeking. However, unlike the politics of today, these assertions of commitment were considered 'legally binding', and the elected candidate would follow through, keeping their word.

 ACTS 23:21 speaks of those conspiring against Paul, to kill him, and how they were "...looking for a promise..." from the chief captain, so they could carry out their assassination attempt. The Jews knew, that if the chief captain "gave his word" [promised], then he was legally obligated to follow through with the commitment, and they would be able to spring their trap.

LEGALLY BINDING

This is the sense taken by most of the NT usage of the word, specifically in relation to our Father God. Everything He has ever "promised", or announced, as a legally binding declaration, will come to pass. In fact, everything He has ever spoken into your spirit, and told you, whether that your children will come to salvation; or you will be involved in some form of successful public ministry; or you will be an author of books or songs; or you will channel money into the kingdom, through successful businesses; or you will invent and create new and marvelous things, all of these announcements and declarations, are the Father's legally binding promises to you. All these things will be fulfilled in your life. He is legally obligated to fulfill His word concerning you. You have a divine certainty that not one word of all He has spoken to you will fail to come to pass, all will be fulfilled.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours