Ver. 12.-Divine mutness 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. Tm; NATURE AND GLORY OF THE Th'HERITANCE. 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 i,iherita11ce. For "it is a kingdom preps.red for you from the foundation of the world" (Matt. x:xv. 34). Its "Builder and Maker" is God himself (2 Cor. v. 1). 2. It is bound "I' tDiih the coheirship of Christ. (Rom. viii. 17, 18; Ps. ii.) God makes us "hein; and rich in faith" (Jas. ii. 5). 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" (Matt. v. 8). :Ko unclean thing shall enter into God's kingdom (Acts :u. 32; x:xvi. 18; 1 Thess. i. 10). 4. It i.s an inheritance "in li,ght." (1) The Lamb is the Light of heaven (Rev. x:ri. 23). (2) There will be clear vision in heaven's light. Whatever "makes manifest is light." "In thy light we shall see light." We shall" know even as we are known." We shall "see face to face." We shall dwell for ever "ill the light of God's coun- tenance." 'l'here will be no darkness there. II. THE MEETI-""EBI\ FOB. THE INHEB.IT.A.KCE. L It is implied that we have no na,tural ffll:dness 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" (Rom. viii. 7). The spirit which is in moral darkness cares not for the light. 2. The meetness is given to us. (1) We are made meet by our calling, by our justification, by our adop- tion. (2) We are made meet for it by our sanctification. The Father gives us; along with the kingdom, the disposition, inclination, behaviour of heirs, sons, kings, and priests. Ill. 'IRE AUTHOB OF TBl6 llEETNESS. "The Father." L It is he who hath begotten t1s to the inheritance. (1 Pet. i. 3.) 2. It is he <mly who can pardon us and accept us. 3. It is he who is the J,'wntain of all holiness. 4. It is he who is stronger than all to preserve TLS 'lo the end and crown fLS with final glory. (Jude 24; Eph. i. 17.) IV. TBE DUTY OF TRANKBGIVlll"G. "Giving thanks to the ]'a.ther.'' 1. A sanctified heart is ready to acknowledge the instrument 'by which good is received, yet more the .Authur of blessing. 2. It honours God to thank him. "Whoso offereth praise glorifi.eth me" (Ps. L 23). 3. A thankful heart u BUre of a gracious hearing. 'l'he more thankful we are for mercies received the more ground have we to expect more mercies,-T, 0.
Ver. 13.-Translation into Ohrist', kingdom. The apostle now proceeds to show how the Father makes us meet for the inheritance of saints. "Who delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love." I. THE ORIGINAL OONDITlO!i OF ALL MEN. They are under "the power of darkness." 1. Coosider the =ni,ng ef this darknua. There is a darkness that is seasonable; which, in the economy of nature, brings rest and recovery to man. 'l'his darkness is far different. (1) It is the darkness of ignorance apart from "the light of life" (John vui. 12; Ei,h. v. 13). (2) It is the darkness ofsin (Rom. xiii. 12; 2 Cor. iil, 14), blindi!,g men against the truth. (3) lt iii the darkness of mi110ry (Isa. viii. 22). (4) on. r. 1-29.) 'fl-IE EPISTLE 'l'O 'rHE COLOSSIANS. 33