SAINTS IN THE LIGHT

“Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the SAINTS in THE LIGHT”– Colossians 1:12

Scriptures refer to Believers in Christ, not only as Sons of Light, but SAINTS IN THE LIGHT: “Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the SAINT in THE LIGHT” (Col.1:12). Our Father-God – the Father of Lights – has made us fit and qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. Colossians 1:9-14 is Paul’s prayer for the Colossian Christians’ continued spiritual growth, knowledge of God, knowledge of His will, wisdom, strength, and endurance. In so praying, Paul reminded the Believers that salvation is entirely the work of God. He affirmed that God alone provides salvation by Grace through Faith in Christ (Eph.2:8-9).

Ultimately, the heritage of the saints is eternity with the Lord in heaven, but there are foretastes here and now: “In Him also we have obtained an INHERITANCE, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Eph.1:11). Believers have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise, “who is the guarantee of our INHERITANCE until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Eph.1:14). Ephesians 1:18 refers to “the riches of the glory of His INHERITANCE in the saints" (Eph.1:18). Colossians 3:24 assures, “Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the INHERITANCE....”

The theme of LIGHT is an important part of Hebrew thinking among whom all knowledge and goodness was symbolized by “light,” while sin and ignorance were denoted by "darkness." The apostle John frequently used this theme in both his letters and the Gospel. Having God’s Light shed on the riches we have in Christ is a sweet reminder to give thanks to Him in and through all things. Verses 12-14 reveal 5 benefits we have in Christ, namely: Qualified to share in His inheritance (v.12); delivered from the domain of darkness and drawn to God as His adopted children (v.13a); relocated into His Eternal Kingdom of Light (v.13b); redeemed (v.14a); and forgiven all sin (v.14b).

As members of the fallen human race due to Adam’s disobedience, we were unfit for the glories of heaven. Sin had disqualified and rendered us dead in trespasses, separated forever from God. But through the Blood of Christ, we have been qualified by faith, to share in the inheritance of the saints in God’s Kingdom of Light (Eph.2:4-6). No man merits salvation through efforts such as religious strivings, self-abasement, fleshly works, or prescribed penances. The price of sin could only be paid for by the shed blood of the sinless Son of Man. At salvation, God instantly bestowed on us fitness for heaven. That fitness is Christ. Nothing can improve on Him. Our title to glory is found His Blood alone. It’s in Christ alone that we’ve “obtained Eternal Redemption” and the “promise of Eternal Inheritance” (Heb.9:12,15).