In A Different Jurisdiction - Colossians - Part 5

"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered 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 1:11-14 ESV

The 'domain of darkness' is exousia (Strong's G1849) skotos (G4655). Exousia speaks of authority or jurisdiction and skotos is a darkness linked to blindness. The same word is used here.

"Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness." - Luke 11:35 ESV

Paul prayed that the power of God would be exercised in each individual life so that people would realize that they are not under the authority of darkness. The light of inclusion has come to transfer them out and they are indeed already transferred out into a family where there is an inheritance free of condemnation.

This passage is so loaded.

Do we have the power to be thankful? Grace energizes us with that power. God has decided to give us His favor. He has qualified us for an inheritance

Some might say, 'Ok, But where is the blessing? Where is the healing? How does that get me out of my situation?'

This power changes us in our situation and gives us resources. We pray and God hears us. We walk and God leads us. We ask for wisdom and God gives it to us. We have security. We have love. We have resources. No matter where we are and no matter what it looks like.

God will heal us and make us pillars.

"May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace;" - Psalm 144:12 ESV

When the light of truth shines into the situation those who see things as they really are have a great advantage.

That is my prayer today. I am asking that God would open our eyes today. That God would illuminate darkened aspects of our thinking and show us what is invisible to the natural eye. I'm praying that we would be filled with genuine thankfulness because we see history through the lens of Christ's finished work.

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