‘Giving thanks to the Father,who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.’ Colossians 1:12(American Standard Bible)
In the old testament you have to keep all the laws before you get blessed(Deuteronomy 28:1-14) because they could not keep the law they could not enjoy the fulness of the promise,they only had a good report(Hebrew 11:39).God decided to send Jesus who will fulfill the laws on our behalf and then deliver us from the law into grace(Romans 6:14).Today,the rules have changed we do not get whatever blessing from God because of our efforts like in the old testament,but because of what Jesus did for us.
Jesus is the reason God will bless you not you.God will not look at your perfection to bless you but the perfection of Christ Jesus.You are blessed today not by your labours but by the labours of Christ.
Our text declares that God himself has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance.Take note that the word ‘qualified’ used in our text is a past tense which means you are already qualified,you are not going to be qualified someday when you fast,pray and do enough good works like we had it in the old testament.By virtue,of what Christ did on the cross you are qualified for any good thing the scripture promises.God himself made you qualified not your efforts.
My dear,never you allow anybody,book,church or preacher disqualify you.You are the right candidate for success,prosperity,health,fame,favor,miracles just name it.
All good things are your because of Christs’ work on the cross not your efforts or good deeds.Not by your faithfulness but his faithfulness,not you goodness but his goodness.Go now and enjoy them.Beloved you are qualified for the best.Praise God!
Thank you for making it clear…it is because of what Christ has done, and he blesses, not because of our own goodness. Is it not said in Isaiah that OUR righteousness are like filthy rags? In his righteousness we are made clean and therefore as you said qualifies us for all the goodness God has for us. As I continue to follow Christ trials come, but the goodness of his peace abounds. He truly qualifies us for the work he has called us to do! thanks
Thanks Eva for stoping by.You will be amazed how so many believers lack this simple truth.Thanks once again.
Great input! Old Testament Law (the Torah) and the law referred in the New Testament was well pointed out by your post. The dramatic change that takes place in the administration of DIVINE LAW in the NT in no longer viewed as an external written code, but as an obligation written on the human heart.
Hi Kevin, enjoyed your post. I agree — somewhat! Mind if I share? Only Jesus saves us, and not by anything we do. Any Christian knows that. But our happiness, wealth, success, etc in this life are not given to us on a silver platter just because we proclaim the name of Jesus. We can look around us and see that! Those who abuse their bodies (against God’s rules) get sick. Those who commit adultery (against God’s rules) pay for it later. Those who steal (against God’s rules) pay for it even in this life. Those rules in the Old Testament were for the benefit of the people, not the benefit of God, and not to make Him bless them.
Grace was no different back then, than it is now. I’m reading through Deuteronomy in Hebrew (very slowly!), and God makes very clear that it was HE who chose Israel, HE who kept them in the wilderness (clothes did not wear out; feet did not swell, manna…). But I also read today in chapter 9 that Israel needed to beware of saying they received everything because they were righteous — which they weren’t. Our righteousness is as filthy rags.
But God did not give them license to sin. Nor does He give that to us. If we throw out all rules our society would collapse. So would God’s kingdom. Imagine killing someone in heaven! Not gonna happen. God’s rules are for our benefit, not for His. He made us. He has the right to tell us how to live. He loves us. Surely we can trust that He knows what is best for us.
Hello Pastor Sherry,thanks for visiting and sharing with our faithful readers.
Before the law came what guided and provided for people like Noah,Abraham,Joseph,Job and a host of other?We do not need the law to live right,the law can never make any man do or live right infact the bible say the law stirs up sin.The law was given to show man his weakness,the law like a mirrow can expose sin but can’t do anything about it.What we need to live right and meet our needs is not our efforts but grace.God himself found fault with the law.No body was sick or died prematurely in israel before the law was introduced.They enjoyed grace and pleased God but when the law came they started dying.Thanks once again Pastor.Hope to have you here again.
Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,
and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
for I give you good precepts;
do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son with my father,
tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
keep my commandments, and live.
Get wisdom; get insight;
do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
love her, and she will guard you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever you get, get insight.
Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
she will honor you if you embrace her.
She will place on your head a graceful garland;
she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”
Hear, my son, and accept my words,
that the years of your life may be many.
I have taught you the way of wisdom;
I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
When you walk, your step will not be hampered,
and if you run, you will not stumble.
Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life.
Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of the evil.
Avoid it; do not go on it;
turn away from it and pass on.
For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
For they eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know over what they stumble.
My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
Let them not escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.
For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to all their flesh.
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.
Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.
(Proverbs 4 ESV)