Deposit

2 Corinthians 5:5 (NIV)

Who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is yet to come?

A deposit is an assurance of goodwill or collateral that promises a payment at a future time along with all the accrued interest. How does a Christian know that they are saved? Is it by doing good work? Is it by sacrificing themselves for the cause of Christ? Or is it by doing the will of God (Luke 6:46)? And what is the will of God (John 6:29)? The answer to these questions can be found in the above verse. Saints who are led by the Spirit of God are the Sons of God (Romans 8:14). In other words, a saint can know and have the assurance that they are saved and have that confirmation from Christ Himself because of the indwelling Holy Spirit. And if anyone has not the Spirit of God they have not Son of God (Romans 8:9-11). The only proof that a saint is saved is the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit and the resultant change in character or the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). That is the only proof that a saint needs regarding their salvation. Nothing else, including Church membership, good deeds, ministry of Christian service, but only an altered life in Christ as empowered by the Holy Spirit and a life of following the Lord Jesus Christ.