“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).
Have you ever visited a foreign country, or lived in one? No matter where you may have traveled, chances are you may have been surprised how different some cultures are to another. For instance, if you are American, pointing at something or someone is something that happens all the time. But in certain parts of Asia, pointing is considered rude and disrespectful. Sometimes, things we think of as innocuous or unimportant may end of being very offense in your guest culture.
The Bible tells us that before we were Christians we lived in the “Domain of darkness.” The sins that we engaged in we engaged in with not a thought to whether or not they were wrong. But when we came to faith in Christ we discovered our sin and the need to repent and abandon our old “culture” for the “Kingdom of his beloved Son.”
What marks the kingdom of God? Paul tells us in Colossians it is marked by redemption and forgiveness. This is in stark contrast to the Doman of Darkness, which is marked by abandonment, loss, and unforgiveness. Sometimes, we engage in our old culture of sin, but being in Christ, the expression of the culture of Christ is redemption and forgiveness. Which kingdom do you want to be part of?
Here’s the good news. We cannot deliver ourselves! That is something only Christ can do. It’s special delivery! We cannot abandon our sin on our own, we need Jesus to help us. Only he can deliver us.
Memory Verse
“The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16).
Application
How has your life changed from darkness to light as a result of your faith in Christ? How can you express to others what God has done in your life by transferring you from the domain of darkness and into Christ’s kingdom? Your testimony may help change someone’s life.
