Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

28 September 2025

Reading From Ephesians 1

“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guaranteeof our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”

—Ephesians 1:11-14

     Those who truly believe, repent, confess and receive Jesus as Savior and Lord are born again and are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the Day of Redemption.  This means that while they will make mistakes and may at times wander from the right path, they will come back to the Lord before it is too late just as the prodigal son did.  When we are born again, there is a definite change of heart and a change in relational position with God. By grace through faith in the shed blood of Jesus we are made right with Him.

     Before salvation an individual is an enemy of God, but by grace through faith that enemy becomes a friend and even more, a son or daughter of the Most High God.  At the event of salvation we obtain an inheritance, during the process of salvation our possession is proven genuine as we continue in the faith, and at the goal of our salvation we acquire possession of that inheritance.  The believer must endure to the end in order to be saved eternally. We will be perfectly united with the Father and function in the power of the Spirit by the authority of the Son as we reign with Him forever. 

“God, You are awesome and the life abundant and eternal You purchased for us on the cross and the empty tomb is extraordinary.  I can’t wait for the eternal adventures we will have with You as Your sons and daughters in the New Heaven and the New Earth.  Thank You for giving us so much to look forward to and giving us Your Holy Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come.  May we fully surrender to You and become more like You each day as we walk with You through this present reality and into the one to come.  In the trustworthy Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things.  Amen.”

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

—Ephesians 4:30

And who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

—II Corinthians 1:22

Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until the Day of Christ Jesus.

—Philippians 1:6