Colossians 1:13-14 Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:… I. THE MOMENTOUS CHANGE. 1. Is from the power of darkness. Darkness is thus personified as a monarch, not a mere force. Under this the Colossians were living till they received the gospel. Neither the light of their Gentile philosophy nor the fitful course of their culture could rescue them. The very light that was in them was darkness. This is the condition of all men naturally. Darkness is — (1) Ignorance. Men are ignorant of God and themselves (1 Corinthians 2:14). They may learn lessons of God's power and wisdom in creation, admire the literature and poetry of revelation, and believe in a future state; but they have no true knowledge of their moral condition, of God as their Father, Christ as their Saviour, or of the blessedness of holiness. (2) It leads to error. In the absence of light the traveller mistakes his way. Men think they are in the road to heaven as they wander up and down the bye-paths of religious formality, of their own resolutions, or of some superstition. Deluded by this darkness they make no effort to live for God and work out their own salvation. (3) Such a condition must be one of danger. The belated traveller cannot distinguish friend from foe, land from water. Unconscious of peril, and perhaps thinking of home, he draws near a precipice, falls over and is killed. (4) Darkness promotes discomfort and fear. There is a gloomy uncertainty and dread of the future, a bondage of the soul through the fear of death. He cannot be happy who knows not God as his Friend, and has no meetness for the future. 2. The process of deliverance. (1) It may involve not a little that is painful. To a man soundly asleep the sudden cry of "fire" is not welcome. So this deliverance involves a distressing inward struggle and the abandonment of many a pleasure. (2) Whither is the delivered soul brought? He is not rescued and left to wander in search of a home, but has a title and guidance to the kingdom of God's Son. (a) This kingdom is so called because it belongs to Him by right, who founded, formed, and rules over it. (b) Something of its character may be learned from His: the Son of God's love (John 3:35). Who can tell the peace and blessedness of those subjects on whom God's boundless love rests. 3. This deliverance is the most important and wonderful event in a man's history. It is a present privilege and prepares for, and is a pledge of the future inheritance. 4. It is exclusively the work of God. II. THE DIVINE MEANS FOR THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THIS END. 1. A putting forth of power on the part of the deliverer manifested by the mediation of Christ. Although the words, "through His blood," are not found in the earlier MSS., and may have been borrowed from Ephesians 1:7; yet the text involves their meaning. Men are sold under sin and condemned; from this state deliverance comes by redemption; redemption implies a price paid; the ransom is the precious blood of Christ. In His Cross there was a vindication of God's righteousness and power to rescue from sin (1 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 2:14; Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 5:2). 2. This redemption is "in Christ." His blood was the ransom, but He is the Redeemer, and it is only in living union with Him that we can receive its blessing. Just as we rest and walk in Him have we evidence that we are amongst the redeemed. 3. It is easy to see how this redemption must, in effect, be the raising of the soul to obedience and purity (2 Corinthians 5:17). The blessing character istic of redemption: forgiveness. This — (1) is its first blessing (Romans 5:1). (2) Its most urgent and momentous blessing. (3) The most direct, flowing immediately from Christ and reaching us directly through His expiation. (4) The blessing which opens the way for all others. (J. Spence, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: |
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