“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,” Colossians 1:13 ESV
Reflection: how can we be in the kingdom of Christ while we still in the world?
This verse is rather curious, don’t you think? On the one hand, it seems to describe something of the future kingdom and dominion of Christ, what we are waiting for to be fully revealed. But then again, it is written specifically in past tense, as if it already has happened. In this season of gift-giving, this verse describes the gift of God to us, and what happens spiritually when we are born again, born of God. John wrote, “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”John 1:9-13 ESV. John says here that, receiving and believing in Christ is all that matters, in order to be born again. To be born of God, as he explains, as a child of God.
Paul wrote extensively about what happens when we are born of God in his letters, such as in the focus verse today to the Colossians. So let’s take some time to dissect this verse, to let it sink in and fill us, as there are some key words that can really bless us. I want to focus on four key words in the verse – delivered, domain, transferred, and kingdom. Let’s look at what they each mean, using the original Greek language in which they were written, and Strong’s definitions.
Delivered (rhyomai). The first action we learn about, that God does as we become is to “deliver” us from the domain of darkness. If we look at the meaning of the word delivered, Greek rhyomai, Strong’s definition includes “to draw to one’s self, to rescue, to deliver; the deliverer.” So another way to think about it is that God has literally rescued us, and drawn us to Himself. Notice carefully that this is not a future action, as some might think of it. No, it is an action that takes place as part of our salvation. It is a rescue operation, by God, as we receive and proclaim Christ as our savior and Lord.
Domain (exousia). The second topic to think about is, what have we then been rescued from? Paul writes from “the domain of darkness”. Domain is a very strong word, and we might be somewhat familiar with it in daily use. But what is the biblical use? According to Strong it has four key biblical uses: “1) power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases; 2) physical and mental power, the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises; 3) the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege); 4) the power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed).” There is a lot here to think about, of what domain darkness can have over someone. Just think about the first meaning, “power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases”. Isn’t this exactly in the playbook of the devil? Of saying that we are free to do whatever, even against the will of God? Which leads to the second meaning, of having physical and mental power over our own actions. To do against the will of God is part of the domain of darkness. But the third and fourth meanings are about control over us, as it has to do with authority and government. It says that, unless you are a new creation in Christ, your power, authority and government is of the domain of darkness.
Transferred (methistēmi). But because of Christ, for those who receive Him and believe in His name, we have been transferred from the domain of darkness. Hallelujah!! God has done this through Christ. Notice again it is in past tense for all who have become a child of God. This word, methistēmi according to Strong means to “transpose, transfer, remove from one place to another, of change of situation or place; to remove from the office of a steward; to depart from life, to die.” So if we have been rescued and removed from the power, authority and government of the domain of darkness. But, the best part is left, which is what we have been transferred to.
Kingdom (basileia). As a child of God because of Christ, we have been transferred to the kingdom of Christ. We exist already now in Christ kingdom. It is not a future state. So, let’s look briefly at what “kingdom” means, in biblical context, according to Strong: “1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule, (not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom; of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah; of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom; 2) a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king; used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah.” Jesus Christ is the victor, the declared King of kings, for an eternal kingdom. “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 ESV.
It is hard to grasp the full implications of what this single verse means. I have just touched on a few aspects of this gift of God through Christ. What new things did you already see? I recommend to invest some time today to really ponder this verse, these truths. To better understand this gift of God to us, and which authority we are truly under. Let these truths become part of how we live our lives.