What do you really know about your future? Is this life all there is—or is there something better waiting? Paul wants the Colossians (and us) to know that God has prepared an inheritance for His children that is far beyond anything we can imagine. And while we don’t know every detail, God has revealed enough for us to have confident hope. This message explores three things every believer can know for certain about their future inheritance.
The Inheritance Is for Those Who Are Qualified
Paul begins with a stunning reminder: before God saved us, we were completely unqualified. Ephesians 2:1–3 describes our former state: dead in trespasses and sins, following the course of this world, under the dominion of Satan, carrying out the desires of our flesh and mind, and by nature children of wrath.
But in God’s grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, He has qualified us. The Greek word hikano means “enabled,” “activated,” or “made eligible.” We didn’t qualify ourselves—God did. He empowered us through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
And it’s not just that we get to be there—we get to share in the inheritance. The Greek text literally means we receive our individual portion, our own lot within the whole. Just as Joshua divided the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel, every believer receives their specific share of the eternal inheritance.
“Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”
— Colossians 1:12
What the Inheritance Includes
While we don’t know every detail of what God has prepared (1 Corinthians 2:9 tells us “no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined” what God has prepared), Scripture reveals at least three things we can know for certain:
1. Eternal Life
Matthew 19:29 describes eternal life as an inheritance. But eternal life is more than just the quantity of existence—it’s also about the quality of life. Jesus defined eternal life in John 17:3 as knowing “the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” That knowledge of God begins the moment we trust Christ and transforms how we live today.
2. A Glorified, Resurrected Body
First Corinthians 15 describes our future inheritance—our resurrection bodies—in vivid detail:
“What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:42–44
Our current bodies are perishable, dishonorable, weak, and natural. But our future bodies will be imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual—like Christ’s resurrection body. These new bodies will never wear out, never age, and will be fit for eternity.
3. The Promises of God
Romans 8:16–17 tells us that because we are children of God, we are also heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. All the promises of God find their ultimate fulfillment in the inheritance awaiting believers.
When We Receive the Inheritance
While some aspects of our inheritance are ours now positionally—eternal life, being transferred from the kingdom of darkness into Christ’s kingdom—the full experience awaits the future. Like an heir who knows they’re in the will but can’t access the inheritance until it’s executed, we wait by faith.
But God has given us a down payment—His Spirit. Ephesians 1:13–14 explains that when we believed the gospel, we were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire full possession of it.
Peter wrote that our inheritance is “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). It is secure. It is reserved. And it is certain.
Why Does This Matter?
Paul’s purpose in sharing these truths is simple: they should cause us to give thanks. Colossians 1:12 opens with “Giving thanks to the Father…”—and everything that follows flows from that posture of gratitude.
When we understand what God has qualified us for—resurrection bodies, eternal life, the very promises of God—it reshapes how we face the difficulties of today. We can endure with patience because we know something better is coming. We can have joy because our future is secured by God’s grace.
As Paul told the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:32: God and His word are able to build us up and give us the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Only in God’s Word do we discover the certainty of our salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and the hope of eternal life.
This Thanksgiving season, may we stop and say with genuine gratitude: The thing I’m most thankful for is the fact that I have eternal life—and I get to spend it forever with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
— Colossians 3:15
Scripture References
- Colossians 1:12-14 — Our qualified inheritance in Christ
- Ephesians 2:1-3 — Our former state before qualification
- Matthew 19:29 — Eternal life as inheritance
- John 17:3 — Eternal life is knowing God
- 1 Corinthians 15:35-44 — The resurrection body
- Romans 8:16-17 — Children and heirs of God
- 1 Peter 1:3-4 — Imperishable inheritance kept in heaven
- Ephesians 1:13-14 — The Holy Spirit as down payment
- Colossians 3:15 — Let the peace of Christ rule and be thankful