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“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14

Are you afraid of the dark? As children, we probably all were…but for many of us, the lack of light still brings fear and trepidation. The reasons vary, no doubt. Maybe this “darkness distress” comes from the inability to see well while driving at night. Or perhaps there’s anxiety or dread in the unknowns of places and spaces unilluminated. For some, it manifests in sheer, unadulterated panic of irrational terrors held within blackness (often rooted in very real trauma that originated in darkness).

There is a genuine present darkness, however, about which every human being is born into—and one of which we should all be very afraid. Because of the Great Fall in the Garden, we come into a world empowered by our enemy, Satan. It is temporarily his “domain.” Although all things are under the ultimate control of God, Satan—for a time—has been given permission to exercise his power here. And his goal is to keep people from (a) seeing the Light and (b) seeking rescue out of the darkness.

But Jesus, through His death, created a way out of the darkness. His sacrifice on our behalf paid the full ransom for the penalty we owe (John 19:30). Not only has our debt been paid (redemption), but we have been completely pardoned. Our sins (yesterday’s, today’s, and tomorrow’s) are forgiven. In fact, through the blood of Christ, we are “justified”—God looks upon you and me “just as if I’d” never sinned. How amazing is that, sister?

Upon salvation, we are set free from bondage to sin and “the dark domain”—but we are not left on our own! When we accept the gracious gift of Jesus Christ—that He died and rose again, forever victorious over death—we are transferred into God’s kingdom. Into Light. We move from being under the authority of Satan to being citizens of God’s kingdom. Eventually, we will be co-rulers in the literal kingdom of God on earth. But, right now, the kingdom of which we are a part is the relationship we have with God through Jesus. When we acknowledge Christ as our King, we are subjects in His kingdom. And, as His subjects, we submit to His rule (the Bible). We live according to God’s Word in obedience…and in order to properly represent our King—to be ambassadors of this Kingdom of Light (Ephesians 5:8).

Sister, we no longer have to walk in darkness, afraid and distressed. Jesus, the Light of the world, has come to bring the Light of life (John 8:12). Upon our rescue, He transforms us into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and transfers us into His kingdom forever.

“Jesus, you are the Light of the world and You have made a way out of the darkness. May I, as a citizen of Your kingdom, represent You by shining my light and showing others the way.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life