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Colossians 1:12

The Pulpit Commentary on Colossians 1:12

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Divine meetness of the saints for their inheritance.

"Giving thanks to the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light."

I. THE NATURE AND GLORY OF THE INHERITANCE. Whether we understand by it heaven or the blessings of the kingdom is immaterial, but the original suggests the idea of a joint inheritance, of which each individual enjoys a part.

1. It is an ancient inheritance. For "it is a kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (). Its "Builder and Maker" is God himself ().

2. It is bound up with the coheirship of Christ. (, ; Psalm it.) God makes us "heirs and rich in faith" (). By virtue of the coheirship, it is a free, sure, satisfying, durable inheritance.

3. It is a holy inheritance. It is "with the saints." Only saints enjoy it with one another. "The pure in heart shall see God" (). No unclean thing shall enter into God's kingdom (; ; ).

4. It is an inheritance "in light."

II. THE MEETNESS FOR THE INHERITANCE.

1. It is implied that we have no natural meetness for it. We could not merit it by our righteousness, and our spirits are out of harmony with its joys. There is nothing in us but "enmity against God" (). The spirit which is in moral darkness cares not for the light.

2. The meetness is given to us.

III. THE AUTHOR OF THIS MEETNESS. "The Father."

1. It is he who hath begotten us to the inheritance. (.)

2. It is he only who can pardon us and accept us.

3. It is he who is the Fountain of all holiness.

4. It is he who is stronger than all to preserve us to the end and crown us with final glory. (Jud ; .)

IV. THE DUTY OF THANKSGIVING. "Giving thanks to the Father."

1. A sanctified heart is ready to acknowledge the instrument by which good is received, yet more the Author of blessing.

2. It honours God to thank him. "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me" ().

3. A thankful heart is sure of a gracious hearing. The more thankful we are for mercies received the more ground have we to expect more mercies.—T.C.

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