DEVOTION – DAY 261

Colossians 1:12-14 “A Greater Inheritance”

 

Colossians 1:12-14 And giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light, For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

 

Paul tells us in vv12-14 that God had rescued all believers in His Son. They are no longer under the dominion of darkness and the clutches of Satan and sin. Instead, they have been freed to be under the kingdom of light. Believers in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are now under the authority, rule and sovereign power of the Lord Jesus. His kingdom of light is a sharp contrast with the dominion of darkness.

 

In this world, children will expect to have a share of the inheritance they will receive from their parents after they passed away. The inheritance is often in the form of property, personal effects and financial assets. However, such an inheritance can be squandered away or lost in the wake of a financial crisis or mismanagement of the inheritance. But the inheritance that Christians receive upon their conversion is infinitely better than any earthly inheritance. Christians have a share in the inheritance – eternal life, holiness, truth, forgiveness of their sins, a relationship with the Living God, direct access to the Father. The inheritance is forever and nothing and no one would be able to take that inheritance from them.

 

Anil Ambani was once the sixth richest man in the world. But in 2020, in the UK court, he was declared a bankrupt. In the short span of 14 years, he was alleged to have lost Billions. He was born into a wealthy family in India but he felt overshadowed by his elder brother, Mukesh, who was always more successful. He and his brother split the family company into two and he became Chairman of the Reliance Group that had interests in Power, Telecommunications and Finance. Because of mismanagement and bad business decisions, he was forced into bankruptcy. He could not hold onto his vast wealth. We contrast that with someone we know who is a born-again Christian. He may not have vast financial assets but he is joyful because God has given him a greater inheritance. He has the gift of eternal life. He has the presence of the Holy Spirit. He has a deep and lasting relationship with the Lord. He knows that God hears his prayers. He has joy, peace, hope and love.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for rescuing us from bondage to sin and treating us as co-inheritors of Christ. Thank you for your gift of eternal life and calling us your children. We pray this in the holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. What are some of the privileges you enjoy as a Christian?
  2. What were you like before you became a Christian and what changes have God brought about in you now that you have become a Christian?
  3. As a Christian, what inheritance do you enjoy?
  4. How superior is this inheritance compared to an earthly inheritance?