December 29 in Christmas

(If this day occurs on the first Sunday after Christmas,

please refer to that devotion instead.)

Colossians 1:1-14

Having Been Transferred

Throughout the twelve days of Christmas, when we are not taking up special days as we did yesterday, we shall take up Paul’s letter to the Church at Colossae.  Like most of Paul’s letters, Colossians begins with substantial doctrinal content and ends with practical advice.

Paul begins with his pedigree.  Educated at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), a Pharisee of Pharisees, Paul could boast an impressive resume.  But these things now meant nothing to him compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:4-11).  So when he recites his qualifications to the churches to whom he writes, he simply says, “an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God.”  Nothing more need be said.  These men are first in the Church order (Ephesians 4:11), eye-witnesses of our Lord’s resurrection, especially commissioned by him, and enabled by the Holy Spirit to pen what we know today as much of the New Testament, the inspired word of God.  And those who would drive a wedge between our Lord and his Apostles do so to their own peril.  They do so because they read something in Paul’s writings that conflicts with their own sinful nature and behaviors.  It is easier to dismiss the Apostle (and, thus, Holy Scripture) than to repent of sin.  But these men filled out what we call the gospel of Jesus Christ after our Lord’s ascension, and we may in no way add to or take away from their writings thinking that somehow we know better when, indeed, we know nothing as we ought.

I now have little space to take up our passage but I had to address what is a common tool of Satan in our day; that is, picking and choosing from God’s holy word so that I may live my life according to my own desires.  I will now focus on vv. 11-14, specifically, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”  This verse tells us two things: first, that we were in the realm of darkness; and, second, that we are now in the kingdom of His Son.  Moreover, this is God’s doing who has so qualified us to be in His kingdom.  Ephesians 5:8 tells us: “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light.”  The difference between receiving Christ as Savior and Lord is the difference between light and darkness, life and death, heaven and hell.  It is this present reality that is ours now and the future hope of our inheritance afterwards that swells our hearts with love for “all the saints.”  So the Father has literally picked us up from the kingdom of darkness and put us down in the kingdom of His beloved Son.  And He inspired Paul to write that!

Author: The Reformed Baptist

My name is Stephen Taylor, ordained Baptist minister of eighteen years pastoral experience with a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Better than that, I am married to a godly woman, Karla, who has been very patient with me since 1989. I have two daughters, both of whom I homeschooled for extended periods of time, who became godly young women, and who ran off and married godly young men, all of which is very proper. The oldest daughter has even seen fit to bless me with a grandson and a granddaughter, and my youngest daughter with a grandson, all three of whom are bundles of exceeding joy. As you can see, I am quite blessed. This website is dedicated to helping people grow in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through the gift of writing that the Lord has given to me. It is specifically about helping His people grow in godliness, the theme you see repeated above. I write devotions with this aim and hope that they might be of some help to God’s people. Full disclosure: I am of a Reformed bent, meaning that my understanding of Scripture is primarily informed by the Reformers and their successors of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. However, as a student of church history and theology, I strive to remain true to that teaching handed down once for all unto the saints through every age of the Church. I like to think of myself as a “catholic” Christian, as the Reformers thought of themselves. At any rate, feel free to read, pray, and contact me if you wish, or correct me if need be. As you can see, I tend to follow the church year. Of course, I make no special claims about these devotions. I know very well that others have written better and plumbed the depths of God’s word with greater insight. But if my musings help someone draw closer to the Lord, well then, I have my reward. Blessings to you and may the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ speak to you that word which He knows you especially need to hear. Grace & peace, Stephen Taylor View all posts by The Reformed Baptist