Colossians 1:12-13

The Father’s work (vv. 12-13)

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

·        Qualified us

o       We are not rendered fit by any goodness of ourselves

o       We are rendered fit (completed already)

·        We have complied with God’s conditions

·        Repentance

·        Faith

·        For participation in the inheritance

·        God people received the inheritance

·        All the rest of the world lay in darkness

·        Delivered us (no one but the Father could)

o       Darkness (natural condition – Luke 1:79; Acts 26:18; Romans 13:12; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 2:8) – this is an illustration also!

·        Sin

·        Error

·        Misery and Death

·        Translated us (from one country to another)

·        Israel —> Assyria

·        Judah —> Babylon

·        Complete transfer

o       Now subjects of the kingdom of Christ

·        Different laws

·        Different community

o       Not yet in the kingdom of God’s glory, but in Christ’s kingdom

o       Now living under new conditions!

·        No change in person’s life ever compares to this translation

·        Darkness, light

·        Slavery, freedom – redemption

·        Condemnation, forgiveness

·        Satan’s power, God’s power

o       Human conquerors move defeated foe from a life of freedom to a life of restriction, but God moves us from a life of restriction to a life of freedom