Thursday, December 6, 2018

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14 NKJV

“For he has rescued us out of the darkness and gloom of Satan’s kingdom and brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who bought our freedom with his blood and forgave us all our sins.” (TLB).

Those two translations point out that Jesus takes those who are in the “power of darkness” or “Satan’s kingdom” and “conveyed,” “brought,” or “translated” (KJV) them into his “kingdom.”  He did this by redeeming us (buying our freedom) with his cleansing blood.  WE ARE FORGIVEN!   That means we are SAVED!

Paul told the Romans that in baptism they were buried with Jesus (Romans 6:3-4).  He informed the Galatians that they were immersed to “put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).  Luke speaks of it as God adding the believer to the saved (Acts 2:41, 47 ASV).  Later, Paul tells the Corinthians, “Now you are in Christ’s body” (NASV).  Writing to the Ephesians Paul said that Jesus is the head of the body “which is the church” (Ephesians 1:22-23).  The Ephesians, the Corinthians, The Romans, the Galatians, and other members were the body of Christ and saved in his church or assembly.

When these statements are connected, the one who receives the word with gladness and is baptized is taken out of one kingdom and installed in the other:

  1. He is delivered out of Satan’s darkness and moved into Jesus’ light (Colossians 1:13-14).
  2. He is added to the saved (Acts 2:41, 47).
  3. He is immersed into Jesus (Galatians 3:26-29).
  4. He is clothed with Christ (Romans 13:14).
  5. He is in the body of Jesus (1 Corinthians 12:27).
  6. And, he is in the church which is the body of Jesus (Ephesians 1:22-23)!
  7. He is blessed by being clothed with God’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).
  8. His sin nature dies and he becomes a new creation of God (2 Corinthians 5:17).

When one was added to the church, it wasn’t a non-essential man made organization.  Each one became a body member of Jesus!  In Jesus there is no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5).  In Jesus there is “no condemnation” (Romans 8:1-9).  Yet, we know that sin remains a problem for us, but not God (1 John 1:8, 10)!  How can we commit sin without that sin compromising the sinless body of Jesus that we are added to?  The Corinthians were in his body and look at their sin problems!

In the kingdom of darkness

  1. One is lost.
  2. He belongs to Satan.
  3. He is a citizen of darkness.
  4. He is dead in trespasses and sins.
  5. He is a child of disobedience.
  6. He is the old man of sin.
  7. The wages of his sin is death.
  8. He is without God or hope.
  9. He is a child of the Devil.
  10. How can he be there and be a Christian?

In the body, kingdom, or assembly of Jesus

  1. One is saved. Some believe they aren’t but must wait until judgment to find out!
  2. He belongs to God.
  3. He is a citizen of heaven.
  4. He has been made alive.
  5. He has newness of life.
  6. He is an obedient child of God.
  7. He is the new man.
  8. His sins are not counted, and he is forgiven, and sins forgotten.
  9. There is no condemnation.
  10. He is a child of God, a Christian, saint, or disciple of Jesus.

Christians are not sinless.  In fact, we are informed that if we deny that we sin, the truth is not in us and we are liars (1 John 1:8, 10).  If one walks “in darkness” it is because he is in the kingdom of darkness.  If one is in the kingdom of light he cannot be in the dark (1 John 1:6).  Sinners in the kingdom of darkness are not saved.  Sinners in the kingdom of light are.  How can a Christian sin and be in the kingdom of light?  One who is in the light recognizes his shortcomings and confesses or acknowledges that fact.  The difference between the two kingdoms is that in Jesus we are covered by God’s grace and cleansed by Jesus’ blood (v.7).  That grace and cleansing power is absent in the kingdom of darkness.

Some believers are concerned about their salvation.  If so, why not exchange that festering doubt of anxiety for God’s satisfying gift of assurance?  God sent Jesus to pay for our sins.  God isn’t a deadbeat refusing to keep his promises.  The book of Hebrews addresses sinners like us and states, “But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul”. (Hebrews 10:39). If you are not “in Christ,” you are still in Satan’s kingdom.  Jesus wants you to put him on (Galatians 3:26-29).  You must come to him in faith.  That faith will lead you to die to sin, bury the old man and put on the new one.  Paul says we are buried and raised with Jesus (Romans 6:3-11).  When God adds you to his saved body of believers, you receive His grace and Jesus’ cleansing blood.  Neither God’s grace nor Jesus’ blood is insufficient in keeping you in excellent standing with the Father.  Jesus erases all our sins and in exchange we are beneficiaries of His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Enjoy your clothing.  It is heaven sent.