Reclaiming the Truth
“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
Redeeming the Time
Love enters the darkness. Love doesn’t wait for you to emerge from your darkness and shame. Love enters into it.
It has been said that, “sin seeks hiddenness.” Sin certainly does. It loves to separate and alienate. It’s why there is such an aloneness in sin. It’s why we often hide our sin and hide in our sin. Sin seeks hiddenness.
And so does love.
Love seeks hiddenness. Love seeks out those hiding in the dark. Love enters into the most broken and desperate places. Love is willing to leave the heavenly realms and descend into the darkest of hell.
You may be familiar with the Apostles Creed. Notice the words we proclaim in the middle stanza.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Love seeks to expose hiddenness and aloneness and even our darkest hell to bring about our true redemption. He rescues us and redeems us and then brings us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.
Reflection
- What darkness, what hell did He redeem you from?
- What is life like today in the “kingdom of the Son he loves?”
- In what ways does love compel you to enter into the darkness of another?
Resting in His Redemption
Much of Colossians chapter 1 is a prayer. It’s a prayer for the church at Colossae, and it’s a prayer for you. Rest in His redemption today. Rest and Receive.
“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. 13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” – Colossians 1.9-14
