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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.

Last time, I wrote about how people can hear the gospel and think it is stupid. You may have heard seen this video; where some believe that “Jesus can’t be the ONLY way“. Now, this belief works out among many people that may even sit next to you in Church. This is where some believe they truly are saved; yet, find Jesus to be “restrictive“, “discriminatory” or “narrow minded“. They take offense when you tell them their parents, children or spouse are not saved – and they reply with “Well my parents/children/spouse are just backsliding“. When in reality, they are probably not saved. But people allow their own sinful selfishness to take over their minds and they “justify” their parents/children/spouse’s own denial of Jesus.

Romans 1:21

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened…

God not only reached down from heaven to rescue us from the domain of darkness – but He placed us somewhere. He placed us in the kingdom of His beloved Son. You may recall, I wrote:

This “Domain of Darkness” is a place of jurisdiction/rule/influence or authority of evil that engulfed all mankind…[where] we have chosen a darkened mind – one where sin has rule/control/authority.

God not only just took us out of that but put us in a new jurisdiction of rule/influence and authority; one where we are enabled by the power of God Himself to overcome sin and evil. Let us look into this a bit more…

“and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son”

To be transferred means to be “removed” or to be “put out” from a place and “kingdom” is a place of not only a jurisdiction of rule/influence, but also of Royal power of “rule” or “right” to govern and govern other governorships. The idea here is a “complete territory of rule/absolute authority” over all in such a jurisdiction. Not only is this kingdom a jurisdiction of royal “right-hood” of absolute authority; but also of righteousness, correctness and a territory without fault. There is no authority over a “kingdom“. In fact, it was once believed, in context of the writer’s understanding, that a king who ruled over a kingdom had a “divine rite” to govern over others and allow certain domains to have their own “sub-rulership”. This is indirectly recognized in Romans:

Romans 14:17

“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

This kingdom, is not necessarily a physical/tangible place of absolute divine authority – noticed by the senses; rather it is a place of character and conduct. A jurisdiciton without a tangible/physical boundary; rather it is a jurisdiction of one’s heart. Because one was removed from the jurisdiction of evil and put into a place of absolute divine authority of righteousness – it is demanded to have result in new persona (in terms of conduct and character). We see tthe writer of Colossians, Paul, begin to emphasize this replacement of darkness with righteousness in later in the letter to the Colossians:

Colossians 3:1-25

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him– a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart. Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.

This spiritual reality that has physical working in our lives. This is a present reality in the hearts of those with the seal of the kingdom imprinted on one’s hearts [Ephesians 1:13]. Also, it is important to note, this kingdom is not something that only “you and Jesus” live in; rather it is a community. It is a gathering of people, the called out, the Church – those specifically chosen to live the life as outlined in Colossians 3:1-25 .These are those people who walk the talk and live out the Gospel.

Therefore, I want you to think and pray about this:

If you have been transferred to the kingdom, ask yourself – do you merely try to conform to outward actions of the “Gospel” or does your placement into the kingdom permeate your conduct and ultimately your character? A transformed heart pours out into your life; however, if you are trying to conform your behavior by outward performances – you are living religion. God is very clear, “religion” is something God hates. So don’t be religious but out of genuine love and desire to know God more, love Jesus and allow Him to rule and drive your life to righteousness. You live in a kingdom now; therefore, this involves a community of people, coming together and loving the King of Kings.

All Glory to God Alone, You Are Loved

Judson