TRANSLATED

Devotions from Colossians

1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

The power of darkness is not just some idea of all that is evil. The power that is the evil darkness is none other than the prince of this world spoken of by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. He says that prior to the Lord delivering us, "ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others," Ephesians 2:2-3. That prince of the power of air is none other than Lucifer, the arch enemy of the Saints.

My friend, too little is spoken of in regards to the sinner's condition and position before salvation. As a result, very little is known of the fact that the sinner was possessed of the devil and his minions, and they held sway over the sinner's will. Further, the devil has his claws sunk in deep to the flesh of the sinner and is dragging him pell mell toward hell. The sinner cannot break free! Sin, death and the grave hold him shackled to the whims of the devil. The power of the darkness moves the sinner at every turn. And to be freed from such is not in the sinner's ability to do. He is dead in trespasses and sin unable to get to an altar, run through a baptistry, repeat a sinner's prayer. He is dead to God, dead to himself, dead to life, dead to hope.

Oh but then came the Master of all life! The Lord of glory, whose infinite almighty power created the universe, comes on the sinner with power and great authority, freeing the sinner from the talons of the dragon, crushing the head of that serpent, breaking the shackles of sin, dispelling the power of darkness, and makes that sinner free for the first time in his existance. No wonder Paul is giving thanks to God! Great is the awesome power that rescues the perishing and cares for the dying. Christ has snatched them in pity from sin and the grave. Fanny Crosby wrote a grand verse in that wonderful song "Rescue the Perishing." In verse 3 she writes:

            Down in the human heart, crushed by the temptor,

            Feelings be buried that grace can restore.

            Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,

            Chords that are broken will vibrate once more.

Oh thank God, that Jesus rescues the perishing and cares for the dying. Jesus is merciful and Jesus will save. It is He that comes on the sinner and smashes the power of darkness with the sword of His mouth, laying waste to the strong holds that hold the sinner bound. And that sinner is redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb, Christ Jesus, who makes the sinner free to new life, eternal life!, through Him.

Think today, Believer! Thou hast life because Christ has delievered you from the power of darkness. He has snatched you from the jaws of death, of hell, of sin, banishment into the throes of hellish damnation where wickedness is perpetual terror. Believe it! The deliverance you enjoy came at great price. And might I add that it was a super feat performed by the God of the universe? It is true. Thy paltry prayer was required. But great was the magnamoius work that allowed you to pray with repentance toward god and faith in Jesus Christ! Don't you ever forget it! The battleground for your soul is littered with the demons of hell whom the Lord crushed with the sound of his voice. Them devils tried to keep you, but when Jesus came on the scene their knees buckled, they howled in pain, they cried, "what wilt thou do with us, Jesus, thy Son of the most High God?" And Jesus said, "loose my child and let Him go!" And they did, hallelujah! There was no power able to stop it either! You were made free that very instant. Give Him praise, honor and glory. He plunged you to victory beneath the cleansing blood!