Proof of Purchase

On Sunday we went to Best Buy to get a Roku box for the "new addition" to our family, Stevie the TV (read here about the birthday present I got Schmoopsie).  As we proceeded to the register, Daddy let The Bug hold the Roku box, and then let the ZuZu help him pay at the cash register.  He handed ZuZu the receipt to hold as we walked out of the store.  We climbed into the car, with The Bug holding the box and ZuZu holding the receipt.  

As we headed home, Zuzu said from the back seat,  "Daddy, what is a receipt?"  Schmoopsie answered, "A receipt is our proof of purchase.  It is what we show people so that they know we paid for what we bought.  It is our proof that what we bought now belongs to us - and no one can take it away from us since we bought it."  This answer satisfied her and she simply said, "Oh, I get it!"

As we drove the rest of the way home in silence, I started thinking about how much Schmoopsie's answer reminded me of another proof of purchase.  As a Christian, I also have a proof of purchase: the Holy Spirit.  The Bible not only says that Christians receive the Holy Spirit at the point of their conversion, but that the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our salvation, our proof that we are sons and daughters of God.

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 guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.  Ephesians 1:13-14

Most people are familiar with Jesus' last words on the cross.  He said, "It is finished" (see John 19:30).  In English, this phrase translates into 3 words, but in Greek, it is actually just one word, "Tetelestai."  "Tetelestai" is actually an accounting word.  When a debt had been paid, the accountant, or lender would write "Tetelestai" over the bill.  "Tetelestai" meant finished, complete - the debt had been paid.

I have been redeemed, bought with the price I could never pay on my own.  Yet in Christ, my debt has been paid, and I have a guarantee, a receipt, a proof of purchase: the Holy Spirit.  What joy and confidence I have in knowing that I am his!  He has given me his Spirit to help me (John 14:16) and make me more like my Savior (Galatians 5:16).  Nothing can take me away from the Father because I have his proof of purchase.