---

I. THE MEETNESS. The subject excludes natural meetness: the only natural meetness man has is for hell, for the sinner has in him all the elements of it. Meetness for heaven refers —

1. To the renewal of the Holy Spirit. Heaven is the abode of the holy, and man must be partaker of a nature which corresponds with the purity and enjoyment of heaven (Ephesians 5:5; Revelation 21:27; John 3:3).

2. To the atoning work of Jesus. The meetness of the title, justification by faith.

3. To the adoption of the believer. God has made him a son, and so an heir.

4. To all God's disciplinary dealings with His people which are to meeten them for heaven.

II. THE INHERITANCE.

1. Heaven is our inheritance.

(1)  For which we are destined (Ephesians 1:11);

(2)  which has been purchased by Christ (Hebrews 9:15);

(3)  which is "incorruptible," etc. (1 Peter 1:4);

(4)  and of which we have the earnest here.

(5)  Its vastness and illimitability is unfolded in Revelation 21:7.

2. Whose this inheritance is.

(1) Who are the saints? Fanatics, says the world; the baptized, say the Tractarians; the Lord's holy ones, says the Bible, washed in Christ's blood, renewed by and possessing God's Spirit.

(2) They are saints in light, which may refer —

(a) to themselves as children of the light, who have the light of truth and holiness with out which intellectual or moral excellence is vain;

(b) or to the glorified saints ix their present abode, which is the dwelling of Him who is "Light, and no darkness at all," the place of perfect purity and knowledge of which light is the symbol (Isaiah 9:19; Revelation 22:5; Revelation 21:23).

3. The saints are "partakers" of this inheritance. They have it already with all the saints of God, in foretaste and antepast.

III. THE PRECEPT based upon the subject. "Giving thanks."

1. To whom the grateful acknowledgment is made — "the Father." Heaven is the Father's gift.

2. On what grounds.

(1)  The provision of a Saviour.

(2)  The enjoying of the pre paring Spirit.

(3)  The prepared inheritance.

(4)  The upholding power which brings us safely to the inheritance.Conclusion:

1. Cultivate an habitual, growing meetness. Be not satisfied with present attainments.

2. Look upon all the Lord's covenant dealings with you as only preparatory to your approaching emancipation from all sin and sorrow.

3. Let the subject cheer you in bereavement.

(O. Winslow, D. D.)

---

---

KJV: Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

WEB: giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;