JUL 12

Colossians 1:13-14
Memorise Colossians 1:13-14
“…delivered us from the power of darkness...”

DO YOU REALIZE DARKNESS HAS POWER?

Paul in Colossians 1:13-14 tells us that God “…hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” We see from verse 13 that darkness does have power; otherwise we would not need to be delivered from this power. From verse 14, we see that darkness has the power to tempt us to sin and to keep us in sin, and we are thus condemned to punishment for our sins though we do not realize it. There are many in this world under the power of darkness, believing they have the right to do whatever they enjoy and can get away with it, especially when no one else knows about it. This power is so great that it is only by the greater power of the blood of Jesus Christ that we are able to be freed from it, and turn to Christ that our sins be forgiven and we are redeemed. Indeed, God actually “translates” us into the kingdom of Christ, meaning we are transferred, like being moved from one country to another. Paul deliberately uses this term to indicate we are now free from the power of darkness, and should thus live a new life as citizens of heaven, living in light rather than wishing to be in darkness again.

Such is the power of darkness, that even though we are free from the bondage of sin, we can still be attracted to it. There are teens that rebel against this notion that their life should be clean and free from scandal, thinking that such a holy life is either impossible, undesirable, or something they are not interested in. They do not want to accept that they are now ambassadors for Christ, not willing that their lives should now show they are citizens of heaven and light rather than being secret visitors to darkness. If you are one of these teens, do realize you are in a very dangerous position, in allowing yourself to toy with the power of darkness. Even if you are really saved by the blood of Christ, you risk your Christian testimony being ruined when what you have been doing under cover of darkness is subsequently exposed, and living a life of regret when you later realize your sins have consequences even on earth. Just ask those Christians who have been caught for various offences and sentenced to prison; they all had assumed no one would ever find out about their secret sins.

Thought: What do I risk by living in darkness?
Prayer: May I be sure that my sin will find me out.