This morning I was meditating on verse 13 from Colossians 1; “He has delivered us from the domain or power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” Out of – Into.
Two questions came to mind. First was the way we view our position in the kingdom. Are we there or on the way there? Second was how do we pray for people who need deliverance from darkness?
If we look at our position related to the kingdom and only see what we have come out of, we will always be looking back to who or where we were. I’m not saying we should forget the testimony of what we have come out of, but more important is what Christ has brought us into. We can’t focus on who we were or what we went through and still get a clear picture of who He has empowered us to be. For example, picture a guy who has worked as a grocery store cashier for 20 years. If he gets a sudden, unexpected transfer into upper management in the corporate office, he may need some time to realize he is no longer a cashier. However, if five years later he is still introducing himself as the cashier from Hometown, USA, he might as well be saying, “ I’m a manager in title, I’m here in body, but my mind never made the transfer.”
In Christ, we have to accept the transfer. It changes everything! We are no longer that sinner who was a slave to darkness, but a holy believer walking in the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. Does it still sometimes seem like darkness is encroaching on our territory? Sure, but the truth is established. “The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overpower it. (John 1:5) We have been…wait, should I use all caps here? WE HAVE BEEN transferred OUT OF darkness INTO light. “For at one time you were in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8) The point is this; don’t ever look back at what you’ve come OUT OF without meditating on what God has brought you INTO.
The second question was about the way we pray for people who need deliverance from darkness. We’ve all prayed things like, “Bring them out, cut it off, bind it up.” It’s not that those aren’t valid prayers. The problem is that they stop at the OUT OF. How many of us have seen someone come out of something just to end up right back in it? I think we will see more lasting fruit if we pray beyond, “Bring them OUT OF or keep them OUT OF” and start praying for some transfers INTO. The OUT OF piece has to come, but the piece that brings real security is the INTO.
Let’s read Colossians 1:13 again and be sure that we’re more excited and captivated by what Christ has brought us INTO than what He has brought us OUT OF. Let’s also continue to pray for people to come OUT OF darkness, but be sure that we are as passionate about praying them INTO the kingdom of God.
Lord, for all of our friends and loved ones, for all those we’ve been interceding for, we request heavenly transfers today. Bring them OUT OF darkness and INTO the kingdom of Your dear Son. Amen