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I. HEAVEN IS AN INHERITANCE. How prone men are to attach importance to their good works, and how averse is human pride to admit that our own righteousness is as filthy rags. This arises perhaps from the feeling that if our works are destitute of merit they must disincline God to save us. But how unscriptural is this fear. One would think that the parable of the Prodigal had been invented to refute it. In spite of what has been written, and the controversies that have waxed hot on the question, the fact that heaven is an inheritance proves that it cannot be the reward of good works.

II. HEAVEN IS AN HERITAGE OF FREE GRACE. We have no such legal claim to it as may be established by some earthly inheritance. Heirs have entered on the property of those between whom and them there existed no acquaintanceship. We are constituted heirs of heaven by virtue of sonship. Thus heaven is not merely an inheritance but a home.

III. THE HEIRS OF HEAVEN REQUIRE TO BE MADE MEET FOR IT.

1. No elevation from obscurity to honour, or poverty to affluence, represents the difference between a state of sin in which grace finds us and the state of glory to which it raises us.

2. What were the most tempting banquet to one without appetite, or the most beauteous scene to the blind? Just what heaven would be to man with his ruined nature, low passions, and guilty conscience. Incapable of enjoying its holy beauties and happiness, he would find nothing there to delight his senses. Such an inheritance would be like the gift of a library to a savage.

3. It is the curse of vice, that where its desires outlive the power of gratification or are denied indulgence they become a torment. What then would a drunkard do in heaven? Or a voluptuary, or a worldling?

4. Hence the need of being made new creatures in Christ; and, by reason of remaining corruption, of getting with the title to the inheritance, a greater meetness for it; of sanctification as well as salvation. It was the office of Christ to purchase heaven; it is the work of the Spirit to prepare the heirs. Thus renewed and sanctified we shall carry a holy nature to a holy place.

IV. AS HEAVEN IS THE GIFT OF GOD, SO MEETNESS FOR IT IS THE WORK OF GOD. By whatever instruments God executes His work, the work is not ours but His.

(T. Guthrie, D. D.)

I. THE INHERITANCE. It is —

1. God likeness. Christians are partakers of the Divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Children inherit their father's nature; so we receive our heavenly Father's spirit, and the Divine nature is formed in us. We are conformed to the image of God's Son, who is the image Of the invisible God in gentleness, beneficence, and perfectness of character.

2. Eternal life. This is no blessedness to the wicked, for it is continuance in sin and misery; for the righteous it is everlasting holiness and happiness.

3. Heaven. It is pleasant to think of heaven as a state, much more so as a place — home.

II. THIS INHERITANCE CANNOT BE MERITED.

1. All the riches of the earth cannot buy it, nor all its valour win it. "Worthy is the Lamb... for Thou hast redeemed us."

2. It is our Father's gift. He is not like Jacob, who selected a favourite son. The inheritance is offered to all.

3. It is meant purposely for the children. Some men die without a will, but God has made special provision for us.

4. It has been purchased by the death of Christ.

III. THE INHERITORS. "Saints in light."

1. They see the love of God. Some may ask of their professed lovers, "do you love me?" But the saints in light do not need to ask this question of God.

2. They are eternal realities, which to others seem as dreams.

(W. Birch.)

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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;