“[13] [The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,”
Colossians 1:13 AMPC
Paul and Timothy who wrote this letter to the saints of God in Colosse would know the value of what the verse above presents. Both men did not have what you would call a very attractive start in the faith. Paul was a man who was fresh from supporting murder, to being a willing traveller to go and do more. Timothy's birth circumstances would have made him quite unqualified for the roles he played, if not for the guided assistance of Paul. Both men had a past from which the death of Jesus played the fundamental role: changing the eventual outcome from eternal death and securing eternal life. It does not matter what the past or even the present looks like: all of us need to encounter the power that was made available at the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Reflect on what the sacrifice of Jesus means: He who knew no sin became sin for us. He came in my place, stood in my place, paid the price I obviously could not pay, and offered me a way out from under the control and influence of sin. I could not save myself; in fact, at the time that Jesus died, I was not even born, so it was not like I even knew I needed His help. The Omniscient God knew what was ahead, and He provided a way of escape for me, even before I knew whatever trouble was ahead. That is a love that does not make human sense; that is a love that is not conditional upon my acceptance or rejection of Him. There is nothing I can do that will lessen the weight, height, depth or scope of the love Jesus has for me. This is the definition of love that the world needs to know and experience.
I note that the impact of this love also means that He has not left me in a vacuum. He did not just save me from sin; He also brought me into a different kingdom. He did not leave me as an orphan to fend for myself; He secured earthy relevance and eternal security for me. Let it be clear that the best of us, without Christ, is under the control and dominion of darkness. Education, earnings, expensive jewelry and elocution do not save a man. None of these things can be of value at the judgement seat. What counts is the finished work of Christ. He has transferred us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son. That is new ownership; new vision, pursuits and priorities. That inner change must now drive outer focus. As someone who understands what has been given, it is now a daily submission and embrace of all that has been given. Do you know who and whose you are? God's time of favour is here.
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