Tue, Sep 8, 2009
The Gospel Reloaded: Forgotten Prayer to God
Colossians 1:12-14
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness,”
First we must note, in this portion of the verse, we are focusing our our sinfulness prior to salvation.
The Domain of darkness is a very interesting term. This term “Domain” gives us the understanding of being under the authority, influence or physical area of another’s ownership. It is a confinement, a place where one has complete ownership. Typically, a “Domain“ is given by someone to have control over; yet is still under the subjection of a higher ruler or “giver”. This tells us that it is not obtained or generated by itself. It is given to someone to be allowed to govern a land/place and have a rule/authority over a specific area. Just like an individual who lives with their parents. That person who lives with their parents has a bedroom, and that bedroom is “their domain“. They have a particular rule in their bedroom; yet, the parents still have an “overall” authority for the bedroom but they allow the person to run their bedroom the way the person living there wants.
Take Genesis 1:26 (ESV), mankind was givin “dominion” over “fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth“. Yet, mankind is still subject to God’s rulership.
The interesting notation here, is “Darkness“. This word is a typical metaphor for immorality, ungodliness and unrighteousness; that all comes from a spiritual ignorance of righteousness (Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 25:30; Romans 13:12; Ephesians 5:11). This is typified in our culture as well. Darth Vador wore black – which represents darkness/evil; he is from the “Dark Side”. Many people have Achluopobia (Fear of the Dark) – one reason people are afraid of the dark is they are afraid of the unknown. A person may have an ignorance of his/her surroundings; thus the fear of the unknown begins to pierce at their minds.
This “Domain of Darkness” is a place of jurisdiction/rule/influence or authority of evil that engulfed all mankind due to the sin of Adam [Romans 5:12]. Due to our sinful, willful acts of disobedience to follow God’s commandments, we have chosen a darkened mind – one where sin has rule/control/authority. [2 Timothy 3:8].
Therefore, if you do not know Jesus as savior, you are a prisoner under the sentence of judgment. Your sin has convicted you to the point you are controlled and under the authority of evil. Due to that your mind is darkened, wicked and evil – and you can do no good only evil and find this amusing.
If this sounds like rubbish to you, then you have fallen
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God
So my call to you, do you cling to the cross and remember the grace of God in you to transform you? Take some time this week and remember; remember the old life you once lived and give thanks to God and continue to plead for His mercy because you are in deep need of it every day.
All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved
Judson
- Vessels of Mercy -
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/VesselsofMercy
Join our Fan Page on Facebook: http://bit.ly/zoJxT
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness,”
First we must note, in this portion of the verse, we are focusing our our sinfulness prior to salvation.
The Domain of darkness is a very interesting term. This term “Domain” gives us the understanding of being under the authority, influence or physical area of another’s ownership. It is a confinement, a place where one has complete ownership. Typically, a “Domain“ is given by someone to have control over; yet is still under the subjection of a higher ruler or “giver”. This tells us that it is not obtained or generated by itself. It is given to someone to be allowed to govern a land/place and have a rule/authority over a specific area. Just like an individual who lives with their parents. That person who lives with their parents has a bedroom, and that bedroom is “their domain“. They have a particular rule in their bedroom; yet, the parents still have an “overall” authority for the bedroom but they allow the person to run their bedroom the way the person living there wants.
Take Genesis 1:26 (ESV), mankind was givin “dominion” over “fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth“. Yet, mankind is still subject to God’s rulership.
The interesting notation here, is “Darkness“. This word is a typical metaphor for immorality, ungodliness and unrighteousness; that all comes from a spiritual ignorance of righteousness (Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 25:30; Romans 13:12; Ephesians 5:11). This is typified in our culture as well. Darth Vador wore black – which represents darkness/evil; he is from the “Dark Side”. Many people have Achluopobia (Fear of the Dark) – one reason people are afraid of the dark is they are afraid of the unknown. A person may have an ignorance of his/her surroundings; thus the fear of the unknown begins to pierce at their minds.
This “Domain of Darkness” is a place of jurisdiction/rule/influence or authority of evil that engulfed all mankind due to the sin of Adam [Romans 5:12]. Due to our sinful, willful acts of disobedience to follow God’s commandments, we have chosen a darkened mind – one where sin has rule/control/authority. [2 Timothy 3:8].
Therefore, if you do not know Jesus as savior, you are a prisoner under the sentence of judgment. Your sin has convicted you to the point you are controlled and under the authority of evil. Due to that your mind is darkened, wicked and evil – and you can do no good only evil and find this amusing.
If this sounds like rubbish to you, then you have fallen
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God
So my call to you, do you cling to the cross and remember the grace of God in you to transform you? Take some time this week and remember; remember the old life you once lived and give thanks to God and continue to plead for His mercy because you are in deep need of it every day.
All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved
Judson
- Vessels of Mercy -
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/VesselsofMercy
Join our Fan Page on Facebook: http://bit.ly/zoJxT
Romans 5:12, Romans 13:12, Ephesians 5:11, Colossians 1:13 and 2 Timothy 3:8
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