Fear Not: God Is Our Deliverer

"For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13-14)

Paul gives us the reason why we should be giving joyful thanks to God (Colossians 1:12). Our Heavenly Father has qualified us (on the basis of Christ's finished work on the cross) to share in the inheritance of His holy people (the saints) in the kingdom of light. He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. We have been rescued, redeemed, and forgiven.

Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, God rescued us from Satan's dominion (power/control) of darkness into Christ's kingdom of light...from death to life; He redeemed us (delivering us from sin & its punishment, and forgiving all our sins). He brought/transferred us into His eternal kingdom where Christ rules. "In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will--to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." (Ephesians 1:5-7) "Thanks be to God, Who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:25a) "I am sending you (Paul) to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me." ~Jesus (Acts 26:17b-18) 

We, the redeemed, are no longer under the dominion of evil but under the rule of Jesus Christ. We are now children of light living in the kingdom of light. "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." (Ephesians 5:8-11) We are to walk in the light. "God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin." (1 John 1:5b-7) In the Bible, light represents truth, holiness (purity), love, and life. We no longer walk in hopeless darkness and misery. We are no longer slaves to sin...no longer slaves to fear. "Walking in the darkness of sin, one is enslaved into the bondage of despair that comes with it; however, walking in light one is set free to have a future hope of eternity. There can be no greater thing." (Robert Zink)

Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee;

Out of my sickness into Thy health,
Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus I come;
Into the joy and light of Thy home,
Jesus, I come to Thee;

Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

(W.T. Sleeper)

Prayer: Thank You, Abba Father, for being my Deliverer! Thank You for my inheritance, redemption, and the forgiveness of my sins! Thank You for the glorious redemptive work of Christ on the cross!