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“. . . you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. . .” Ephesians 1:13

Everyone loves a wedding. Excitement. Anticipation. Festivity. There’s a sense of wholeness we all can appreciate. Two people becoming one, walking through life together.

You may or may not be married in that sense, but Scripture describes the church as the bride of Christ. And that makes Christ the groom. What does a groom give his bride when they marry? A ring. Why does he do this? A ring shows others that a woman is spoken for. And it reminds her when she sees it that she is not alone. She has a husband waiting for her at home whose companionship she enjoys and whose needs it is her job to consider.

As believers, our Bridegroom, Christ, has given us such a gift. Far more costly than gold and gems, this gift is not a ring, but it similarly identifies us to the world as being spoken for. And it reminds us that we have a Bridegroom waiting for us, whose companionship we’ll enjoy for all eternity, and whose business it is our privilege to attend to. Best of all, this gift doesn’t just adorn a finger, but indwells us—for this gift from our Bridegroom is not a thing, but a Person: the Holy Spirit.

There are many wonderful riches for us described in Ephesians, but the Holy Spirit must certainly be the greatest of them all. We meet the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament: at creation, directing Israel, in the thick of history, and yet generally not available to individuals. It’s not until the New Testament that we are offered the chance to know Him personally. It is because of Christ’s work on and after the cross that we are able to receive the Holy Spirit (see John 7:39). This precious Gift works in us and through us, empowering, testifying with, teaching, comforting, interceding for, and growing us.

We are sure of the Spirit’s presence with us because Jesus promised it, and our own spirits testify to this truth (see John 16:7, Romans 8:14–16). How do others recognize the Spirit in us? They see His fruits—kindness, gentleness, joy, peace, and more—manifested in us (see Galatians 5:22–23). He is patiently sanctifying and readying us for the day of Christ, when our Bridegroom will come for us (see Philippians 1:6).

How does the Spirit’s presence remind us that our Bridegroom awaits us? It is the Holy Spirit who reveals the things of God to us. He helps us understand what God has given to us and prepared for us (see 1 Corinthians 2:9–12). He also keeps our perspectives in check, helping us to see our present challenges and opportunities in light of eternity (see 2 Corinthians 4:14–18).

How does the Holy Spirit further our intimacy with Christ? He is our key to knowing Jesus. As the Spirit illuminates Scripture to us and deepens our understanding of spiritual things (see 1 Corinthians 2:13), our relationships with Jesus can grow in anticipation of when we will one day walk and talk with Him face to face and enjoy His companionship in new ways.

What part does the Spirit play in our work for the Lord? The Holy Spirit is the power of God in our lives (see 2 Corinthians 13:4). He provides the tools we need to do the work, and the opportunities for it to be accomplished. Young Jesus told his parents in Luke 2:49 that He must be about His Father’s business. The same is true for us, His followers. What a privilege to be a part of it!

“And if I go to prepare a place for you,” Jesus said in John 14:3, “I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” Jesus is coming to collect His church, His bride. Christ has given us the Holy Spirit because we belong to Him, and among all He is to us in our present lives, God’s Holy Spirit is a promise of things to come. Oh, come, Lord Jesus!