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1. Our Previous Status
   
   
1. We are told in this passage Paul was praying that the Colossians would "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord" – v. 10.
2. This worthy walk consists of bearing fruit (v. 10), increasing in the knowledge of God (v. 10b), being strengthened with power (v. 11), and "joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us …" – v. 12
3. Clearly this presupposes that there was alteration necessary before we could be qualified to share in the inheritance.
4. Being reminded of the tremendous accomplishment in the change of our status seems to be part of what would cause our ability to "joyously give thanks"
5. The idea of "qualified" carries the emphasis on being "made sufficient, to empower, authorize, or to make fit".
6. Before we were saved by the grace of God, we were truly unfit and unqualified to participate in the "inheritance of the saints in light"
1. "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest." - Ephesians 2:1-3 
2. "Remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." - Ephesians 2:12
3. "This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality, for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness." - Ephesians 4:17-19
7. Before the genius of God’s grace was applied to us, we were strangers, aliens, excluded, children of wrath who were without hope.
   
   
2. Our Present Suitability
   
   
1. But, God who was rich in mercy and love has taken those completely disqualified from participating in the "inheritance of the saints in light" and has "qualified us."
2. God cannot overlook our unfitness and unworthiness – as though He could ignore the problem so that it would go away.
3. Because God is holy, it was necessary for Him to make an issue of our sinfulness – condemnation stood over us and we were "children of wrath."
4. The only way by which we could be "qualified" to share in the inheritance of the saints was to be covered by the righteousness of Christ and thereby freed from the condemnation of the law.
5. This is the impact of justification – Christ lived the life that we could not – sinless perfection that was then offered on behalf of mankind for in a vicarious offering – cp. 1 Peter 3:18.
6. Still being sinners, we were declared righteous because of the qualification gained by Christ’s sinless life – a transference occurred – cp. 2 Corinthians 5:21
1. Christ was made sin for us and was judged by the wrath of God -
2. We were the recipients of the righteousness of Christ Jesus – thereby being "qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."
3. This is part of the emphasis of 2 Corinthians 8:9 – we were made rich!
7. One of the important issues to notice here is that the shift in our status is already accomplished – we have been qualified already for the inheritance.
   
   

1. The Fullness of Our Inheritance
   
   
1. The phrase used here doesn’t even use the term "inheritance" – it literally means "for the portion of the lot" – signifying that the individual is being focused on here – each individual will receive his full share.
2. God has specifically set aside a portion of the whole inheritance that is to be given to me – similar to the 12 tribes receiving their allotment of the Promised Land.
3. I have no fear of it being given to someone else or that I might lose it – it is reserved in heaven safely designated "Richard Gregory"
4. I am guaranteed my portion of the "inheritance of the saints" – it is as certain as Christ’s inheritance and glory is – because I am a "fellow-heir" with Christ Jesus – cp. Hebrews 1:2; Romans 8:17.
5. I am thus guaranteed participation in the inheritance as my portion of the lot is secure by the unalterable Word of God itself – cp. Hebrews 6:17-19.
   
   
2. The Features of Our Inheritance
   
   
1. What is included in this inheritance?
2. Eternal Life: one of the first features of our inheritance is eternal life – an element of which has already been granted – cp. Matthew 19:29; 1 John 5:20
3. Deliverance from Sin: part of the inheritance of the saints is the freedom from the penalty, power and ultimately the presence of sin itself! – Hebrews 1:14
4. Righteousness – Hebrews 11:7
5. Millennial Blessing – Matthew 5:5
6. Eternal Fellowship with God – Revelation 21:7
   
   

1. The Environment of Our Inheritance
   
   
1. The Exclusivity of our inheritance is given to us here – it is an "inheritance of the saints" – meaning that no one outside of Christ will enjoy this – they are what we once were: disqualified.
2. Thus, no ungodly individual will inherit the blessings of the Kingdom of God –cp. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:5
3. It is an inheritance "of the saints" – belonging to those who have been set apart by the grace of God to the glory of God.
4. In addition, it is described as an inheritance "in light" – referring to the radiant glory of God’s presence – 1 Timothy 6:16
5. This glorious light is characterized by three important features of the presence of God – "goodness & righteousness & truth" – cp. Ephesians 5:8-9
6. This is the antithesis of the "domain of darkness" we’ve been rescued from – cp. v. 13.
   
   
2. The Earnest of Our Inheritance
   
   
1. This is all secured for us by the divine guarantor – the indwelling Holy Spirit – cp. Ephesians 1:13-14
2. God’s Spirit is the "first installment" – the "earnest" of our inheritance.

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