Scripture: Colossians 1:13-14
He rescued us from the control of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. He set us free through the Son and forgave our sins.
Thought for the Day: Can you remember a time from childhood when you were frightened by the darkness. Personally, I can think of dozens of times. Paul spoke of how the darkness controls us, and when you think about it, we often make decisions on how to avoid the darkness. And even in our attempts to avoid it, the darkness is still controlling us. Yet the good news is that we have been transferred (the Greek word here means to change one’s place, or it was used as a euphemism for death) into the Kingdom of love. Not only the destination, but the how is important in Paul’s theology. Life in the Kingdom assumes a death. Maybe not a literal death, but one found in the waters of baptism where the Holy Spirit helps us die to our old self and to be reborn into a life with Christ. We are rescued from the darkness as we enter into the darkness of death and rise into the light of true life.
Prayer: In dying and rising with you, O Holy God, we find true liberation from all the darkness of life. Thank you for being our rescuer and liberator. Amen.
