William Burkitt Notes and Observations - Colossians 1:12 - 1:12

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William Burkitt Notes and Observations - Colossians 1:12 - 1:12


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Our apostle having prayed for the Colossians in the foregoing verses, here breaks forth into the duty of thanksgiving on their behalf, Giving thanks unto the Father, &c.

Where note, 1. A description of heaven, or the blessed state of good men in another world: It is an inheritance, an inheritance of saints and an inheritanceof light.

1. It is an inheritance; now that is a possession only proper to children, Hareditas filiis debetur, non servis. It is an unmerited and undeserved possession, and it is the best donative that a father has to give unto his children: Particularly, this inheritance of heaven, which God gives to all, and yet to every one of his children, is the freest inheritance, the surest, the most satisfying, and the most delifhtful, and the most durable inheritance.

2. Heaven is the inheritance of the saints, or of holy persons only; such as is really holy, universally holy, perseveringly holy, to them, and only to them, does it belong, it is purchased for them, it is promised to them, it is given to them, they have already the first fruits of it in the Spirit's inhabitation, which is given to them as an earnest of heaven; it is prepared for them, and they are prepared for them, and they are prepared for that; and it shall be finally adjudged to them at the great and last day.

3. It is an inheritance in light, that is, an inheritance with God,; an inheritance in joy, an inheritance in glory, and a common inheritance for all the saints: As the light of the sun is a common blessing to all that have eyes to see it, and every person in a room has the benefit of the light of the candle, as if he enjoyed it by himself alone; so is the inheritance of heaven, it is fully and intirely enjoyed by all the saints, as if there was but one to possess and enjoy it.