Col 1:12-14 “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
In verses nine through eleven of this chapter, Paul enumerated some of the things contained in his prayer for the saints and faithful brethren at Colosse. He continued those thoughts with “Giving thanks unto the Father…” When we pray for our brothers and sisters, we should give thanks unto God for them: we should also pray that they themselves give thanks unto the Father.
When we think of “giving thanks,” our thoughts often turn to the verbal expression of gratitude. While this is certainly a valid meaning, the first idea in this expression is to be grateful. How often do we fall into a pattern of thanking Him that just becomes ritualistic? We use words to say we are thankful, but we do not really stop to consider His blessing or be in a state of gratitude.
We should be grateful to the Father because He has enabled (made “meet”) us. We are not able in ourselves to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints. Were it not for the Father’s enabling, we could not participate (be partakers) in the portion secured (inheritance) for those consecrated (saints) in light. The usage of the word light indicates something illuminated or made manifest. The Father has not only been pleased to make us meet to be partakers, but He has been pleased to manifest here in this time world that we have a portion among those He has consecrated unto His service.
Our life in Him has not always been manifest. There was a time when we were held in the power of darkness. Thankfully, the power of darkness is not the same as His glorious power (Col 1:11). The word translated as “power” in reference to His power implies “might or dominion (see Strong’s);” in contrast, the word translated “power” in reference to the darkness implies “influence.” Our Father’s might and dominion is able to break the influence of the darkness, but He must rescue (deliver) us.
The word translated as “deliver” carries the idea of being rescued and clearly points to our need of our Savior. The fact that we have to be rescued says that we could not escape on our own. How thankful we should be that our Father was pleased to rescue us and is still rescuing His children from the influence of darkness today! He does not stop with rescuing us but He then transfers (translated) us into the kingdom of His dear Son.
Nowhere in this scenario have we seen any requirement for the help of man in order for these things to come to pass. Even after we come to understand that our eternal salvation is in His hands alone, we sometimes fail to recognize that being rescued and transferred into the kingdom of Jesus Christ here happens only by that same power. Jesus makes it very plain that the kingdom of God is here with us, and it is with us in Him. In Matthew 12:28 He says “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.”
The knowledge that we are rescued from the influence of darkness by the dominion of God is sure evidence that the kingdom is come unto us. Being translated into the kingdom of Jesus Christ, we understand that we have redemption through His blood. The word rendered “redemption” means “to ransom in full.” Have you ever paid off a debt and received a copy of the contract stamped “PAID IN FULL?” It is a very liberating experience. What if you received notice that a debt you owed was “PAID IN FULL” when you had not had even a penny to pay on that debt? This is what it means to have redemption through His blood. Through His blood alone, we are pardoned from all our offences and walk in the liberty of His kingdom today.
“Jesus paid it all.
All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain.
He washed it white as snow.”
May we be blessed to be thankful to Him who has rescued us, changed our lives, and made us free!
