What does it mean to be "qualified to share in the inheritance"? Context of Colossians 1:12 “giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.” (Colossians 1:12) What “qualified” communicates • The verb is past tense—God already acted. • Qualification is entirely His doing, not ours (cf. Titus 3:5). • The Greek idea is “made fit, rendered adequate,” pointing to a change of status rather than earned merit. • Linked directly to redemption and forgiveness in the next verse (Colossians 1:13-14). How God qualifies us 1. Rescue • “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness” (Colossians 1:13). • Comparable to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt—freedom precedes inheritance. 2. Redemption • “In Him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14). • Christ’s blood settles every charge (Ephesians 1:7). 3. Justification • “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God” (Romans 5:1). • His righteousness is credited to us (2 Corinthians 5:21). 4. Adoption • “The Spirit Himself testifies… we are God’s children. And if children, then heirs” (Romans 8:16-17). • Adoption confers full family rights—including inheritance. 5. Sanctification • “Those being sanctified” already possess “an inheritance among all who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). • Holiness is both the sphere (“in the light”) and the evidence of qualification. What the inheritance includes • Eternal life with God (John 17:3). • The kingdom prepared “from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34). • A resurrected, imperishable body (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). • “An inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven” (1 Peter 1:4). • Fullness of joy in God’s presence (Psalm 16:11). • Reigning with Christ in the new creation (Revelation 22:5). Old-Covenant shadow, New-Covenant fulfillment • Israel’s land allotments (Numbers 26) foreshadowed the spiritual inheritance now open to every believer (Galatians 3:29). • The Levites’ portion was “the Lord Himself” (Deuteronomy 18:2); in Christ all saints receive that ultimate portion—God. Living as qualified heirs • Gratitude: “giving thanks to the Father” is continual, not occasional. • Confidence: no fear of disqualification—“He who calls you is faithful” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). • Holiness: walk “as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8-10), reflecting the realm we now belong to. • Hope: set hearts “on things above” where the inheritance is kept secure (Colossians 3:1-4). Because the Father acted through the Son, qualification is complete, the inheritance is guaranteed, and life today can be lived in light, gratitude, and holy anticipation. |
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