“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)
What a powerfully encouraging statement! We have been delivered from the stronghold that sin rightfully had over us! Hallelujah! This is not a chance happening. It was through the blood of our crucified Lord on Calvary that we are now free, not only to be loved but to love in return.
When Adam and Eve sinned in the beginning, we, their descendants, automatically inherited the sinful nature, which caused us to ‘belong’ to the enemy, so to speak. Thanks to God, Our Father, who loved us enough, even in our sinful condition, for sending His Son to pay the price and buy us back from destined destruction.
We were destined to die because we were led by the flesh, the sinful nature. This nature embraces the kinds of undesirable attitudes and behaviours which would effectively lock us out of the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 highlights them: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things, will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
The cleansing blood of Jesus not only freed us from the desire to commit such acts but also forgave us of the stain left when we, or our ancestors, committed such acts in the past. We now have a new nature. One which is led by the Spirit of our Holy God. Our focus now is to live like Him, love like Him, and serve Him. Each day, as we draw closer to God, as we surrender more and more to His Will, the fruit of His Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24) becomes evident in our lives.
What blessed assurance! What joy, knowing that we have been forgiven, cleansed, and set free. Let’s praise the Lord for His love for us.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me when I was unlovable and unloving. Thank You for sending Jesus to die in my place. Please help me to be more like You so that others may see Your fruit in my life and be drawn to You. In this way, Your desire that all be saved will be fulfilled. I seal this prayer In Your Most Holy Name. Amen.
Read: Colossians 1:19-23; Hebrews 10:15-18
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 102:12-17; I Corinthians 15:35-49; 2 Chronicles 18:28-34; 2 Chronicles 19; 2 Chronicles 20; 2 Chronicles 21:1-3
