Redeemed & Restored // Colossians 1:13-14

Colossians 1:13-14 (NIV) | For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Yesterday we explored the need to honor and remember those who gave their lives to secure, preserve, and defend freedom, beginning with Jesus and on to those who died in service to this nation. We are taking that a step farther in our verses today when we think about the work that God did for us in Christ. What we see is God rescued us from the dominion of darkness by bringing us into the Kingdom of God. This idea means we are going to live in a place either under God’s dominion or the devil’s. That dominion of darkness is full of sin and corruption where things are used and abused for the wrong purpose. It cannot be overstated that there is nothing you can do on your own to move from one dominion to the next. No interstate, moving company, website, or AI can get you there. Redemption is the only way, which is why we need a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Redemption refers to the action of gaining or regaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or the clearing of a debt. That debt, my friends, is sin. Jesus reclaimed possession of us in the shedding of His blood so the only red in our ledger are the words, paid in full. You are forgiven once and for all and transported from the dominion of darkness into the legacy of light that never ends. All you must do is acknowledge you are incapable of saving yourself, believe in Jesus as God’s One and Only Son raised from the dead, and commit to living a life worthy of the sacrifice He made for us (Colossians 1:10). And before you let the enemy whisper sulfuric nothings in your ear trying to convince you that you are too far gone to be saved, hold fast to the powerful promise of Hebrews 8:12, “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” You are loved, forgiven, redeemed, and restored. Let’s live accordingly!