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Colossians 1:13 - Snatched from Darkness.

Colossians 1:13 (NKJV) He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

INTRODUCTION

The Colossians feared the unseen forces of darkness, but Paul says that true believers have been transferred from darkness to light, from slavery to freedom, from guilt to forgiveness, and from the power of Satan to the power of God. We have been rescued from a rebel kingdom to serve the rightful King. Our conduct should reflect our new allegiance. [Life Application SB]

COMMENTARY PEARL

   The Centennial Lightbulb has been continuously illuminating the Livermore Fire Department in California since it was first installed in 1901. Except for a brief period when it was removed from the old fire department and installed in the new one, the four-watt bulb has been burning 24 hours a day.
   Another bulb has been burning, not for a century but for six millennia, since the first gospel promise in Eden (Genesis 3:15). The cross of Calvary was the socket that held the world's greatest Light (John 8:12). Into a world wrapped in the darkness of sin, God sent a bulb that would burn forever - His own Son to die on the cross. "Lifted up from the earth" (John 12:32), Jesus became the brightest display of love the world has ever seen. There, He "delivered us from the power of darkness," from "the sin which so easily ensnares us" (Hebrews 12:1).
   The beautiful part of today's text promises that God will convey us "into the kingdom of the Son of His love." The King James Version uses the word "translate us" meaning a resettlement into a new home. Christ first rescues us from the snares of darkness; then He transplants us into a new home. But not just any home - His home found in His kingdom! What a comforting picture of salvation! We are rescued, given a new life, and then provided a new home.
   When Satan brings up your past and hints that you aren't worthy of salvation, repeat this personalized promise: "He has delivered [me] from the power of darkness and conveyed [me] into the kingdom of the Son of His love" God rescued you. You are precious and worthy of your Redeemer's love.
   My Redeemer, I'm grateful that You rescued me. I look forward to spending all eternity with You. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts]

COMMENTARY

   The power of a higher, purer, nobler life is our great need. The world has too much of our thought, and the kingdom of heaven too little.
   In his efforts to reach God's ideal for him, the Christian is to despair of nothing. Moral and spiritual perfection, through the grace and power of Christ, is promised to all. Jesus is the source of power, the fountain of life. He brings us to His word, and from the tree of life presents to us leaves for the healing of sin-sick souls. He leads us to the throne of God, and puts into our mouth a prayer through which we are brought into close contact with Himself. In our behalf He sets in operation the all-powerful agencies of heaven. At every step we touch His living power.
   God fixes no limit to the advancement of those who desire to be "filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding." Through prayer, through watchfulness, through growth in knowledge and understanding, they are to be "strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power." Thus they are prepared to work for others. It is the Saviour's purpose that human beings, purified and sanctified, shall be His helping hand. For this great privilege let us give thanks to Him who "hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son." AA478

How to Live Free from Satan's Power
   Satan loves to manipulate people. He does it all the time. Temptation and condemnation are Satan's two favorite methods to do so.
   First, he tempts us by minimizing sin before we do it. He'll whisper phrases to us like, "It's no big deal" and "Everyone is doing it." Then, when we commit the sin, he turns on the condemnation and tells us, "Well, God will never love you again."
   Satan minimizes our sin before we commit it and maximizes it afterwards. Through temptation and condemnation, Satan tries to control us.
   But thanks to Jesus, you don't need to let him. On the cross, Jesus died to destroy Satan's power to control you.
   Paul writes in Colossians 1:13, "God has rescued us from the power of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of his Son, whom he loves" (GW).
   There is a cosmic battle going on between good and evil. When Jesus was on the cross, it looked like Satan had won.
   But on the cross, Jesus shouts out, "It is finished," not "I am finished." Three days later he rose from the grave. Jesus wasn't finished. Satan was! With Jesus' work on the cross, he defeated forever Satan's ability to control us.
   If you have accepted God's offer of salvation and have the Holy Spirit in you, Satan only has power that you yield to him. Through fear, bitterness, and anxiety, you can give power back to Satan. But when you trust God and choose forgiveness and hope, Satan is powerless in your life.
   Because Jesus destroyed Satan's power to control you, you don't need to fall victim to his manipulation. You can live in freedom--the way God made you to live. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]

You've Got the Power of Christ
   On the cross, Jesus destroyed Satan's power to control your mind, your life, and your destiny. When Jesus said, "It is finished" (John 19:30 NIV), Satan should have said, "I'm finished." His days are numbered!
   Jesus has won the victory over death and Satan. But if you don't have the power of Christ in your life, then you are defenseless against the Devil. Satan can manipulate your emotions. He can mess with your mind. He can get you addicted to all kinds of stuff. And you are powerless without Christ!
   Satan has two favorite tools to whip you around: temptation and condemnation.
   He uses temptation by minimizing sin: It's no big deal! Everybody does it! You know what will make you happy more than God does! Satan doesn't have to speak out loud. He just puts these ideas in your mind. When God gives you an idea, it's called inspiration. When Satan puts an idea in your mind, it's called temptation.
   Then, the moment you do that particular sin, Satan reverses strategy and, instead of minimizing the sin, he maximizes it: You did that! Are you kidding me? God will never love you again. It's over. God can never use you. That is so big that you could never, ever be forgiven for it.
   First, Satan tempts you. Then, he condemns you. See his strategy? Minimize the sin before you do it and maximize it afterward.
   On the cross, when Jesus Christ said, "It is finished," he defeated temptation and condemnation.
   Jesus destroyed the irresistible power of temptation. He now gives you the power to resist it: "He rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us safe into the kingdom of his dear Son" (Colossians 1:13 GNT).
   Jesus' death and Resurrection were a fatal blow to Satan.
   If you have Jesus Christ in your life, then Satan has zero power over you except the areas that you choose to give him. When you choose to give in to Satan's temptation through resentment, guilt, worry, or fear, then you give him a foothold in your life. But, if you choose to say no, he can't touch you.
   With God's power in your life, Satan can't harm you. You are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3), and you are protected. You don't have to listen to Satan. You have the power to say, "No."
   You don't have to be afraid! [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]

CLOSING THOUGHT

Every believer has a story. Never doubt it! It may not seem dramatic. It may not raise goose bumps on a thousand arms. It may never be the subject of a book or movie. But we have all experienced rescue on a grand scale. God "has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves." God has saved us from a lifetime of futility and given us purpose, a destiny, and a reason to get up in the morning.
You may not realize it, but people love to hear that personal account. It's the story of redemption played out in each of our lives when we tell others how Christ has sustained us through the toughest of times. Keep telling your story. Don't ever stop. Even those who know it need to hear it again.
Lord, I'm truly stunned - sometimes overwhelmed - to think how You have used my story through the years. You have even taken the dark parts and low moments and somehow woven them into a story of hope, light, and promise in Your name. Please use my story as long as I live to show Your love and power to others. [A Spectacle of Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada and Larry Libby]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

John 8:12 - The Second I AM; Jesus the Light of the World!
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230705-1013.html

1 Peter 2:9 - God's Great Family.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240801-1211.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/