Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the beloved. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Anyone can walk into Auto Nation Ford, right down the street, and put a down-payment on a Mustang, or one of the hybrids that the dealer sells. But the down-payment of itself does not always guarantee that the vehicle will be theirs, except the rest of the money due has been received by the dealer.
Similarly, the “Earnest/Down-payment” of The Spirit does not always guarantee that folks will be sealed for eternity, except we continue to abide in Christ. This is one of the very important truths which need to be understood by all.
There are several examples of persons in the Bible who had received a security deposit, or “Earnest” but who will not be saved. Cases in point are those such as Eli, Saul, Judas and the disobedient prophet, Balaam, and the infamous Ananias and Sapphira, who partook of the former rain when The Holy Ghost was given at the time of Pentecost.
Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!