Colossians 1: 9-14
Darkness is always associated with evil (Eph. 5:11) and with God’s judgment upon sin (II Peter 2: 4, 17). Darkness is the exact opposite of light and the two cannot co-exist (II Cor. 6:14). I John 1:5 tells us that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. Jesus Christ said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Our text brings us wonderful assurance to every believer as we are told that Jesus Christ has delivered us from the power of darkness; we have been translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son; we have redemption through His blood; we have forgiveness of sins (vv. 13-14). Thus, darkness has no power over us!
Today there is great confusion in what constitutes both light and darkness. Some claim there is no difference; some say it is a matter of personal opinion; others claim to be engaged continually in a search for “light”, and some falsely claim they have found the “light” as they follow some false religion or cult.
The truth of the matter is that all who reject Jesus and the Bible have no light at all (Isa. 8:20; Jn 3:14-21). The problem is that those who reject Christ and His Word are being deceived by Satan who appears as “an angel of light”. I have never heard of any false religion or cult which didn’t deceive its followers by claiming to provide wonderful new “light” and truth.
As a result many today are walking in darkness who think they are walking in light. Believers must not find fault with those who are thus deceived; rather, we should turn on the true light – witness to them concerning Jesus Christ who is the Light of the world. And we should give them the Word of God, the Bible, for “The entrance of thy words giveth light” (Psalm 119:130).
It is wonderful to know that every believer has been delivered from the power of darkness and we should be continually giving thanks to God for His wonderful mercy and grace (v. 12). Our continual desire should be to “walk in the light as he is in the light” (I John 1:7), for it is only in this way that we can “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing” (v. 10).
Let every believer rejoice in Christ’s wonderful deliverance from the power of darkness, and let us “walk in light” daily as we tell others the good news about our Saviour who is the Light of the world.
