For this reason: Rescued from Darkness
Title: Rescued from Darkness: Embracing the Kingdom of Light
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 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.
In a world filled with distractions and self-centered ideologies, it is easy to lose sight of the true purpose of our existence. We often find ourselves caught up in the religion of self, seeking validation and fulfillment in all the wrong places. But there is hope. There is a rescuer who offers us a way out of the darkness and into the light. Today, we will explore the concept of being rescued from the kingdom of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son, and how it can transform our lives. We’ve all felt rescued in small ways, rescued from a terrible conversations, stupid decisions, and pain.
The Battle of Two Kingdoms
The Scriptures reveal that there is more to life than what meets the eye. There is a spiritual realm, divided into two kingdoms - the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light. The kingdom of darkness, fueled by sin and rebellion, invaded the earth when Adam and Eve chose to sin. It seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, leading us away from the worship of the Creator and towards the worship of self.
The Religion of Self
In today's society, the religion of self has become prevalent. It is characterized by the belief that our minds are the source and standard of truth, our emotions are authoritative, and we are sovereign, supreme, and the standard of goodness. This ideology leads us to worship ourselves, bending the world to our desires and manipulating truth to fit our preferences. It is a dangerous path that ultimately leads to emptiness and destruction.
The Rescuer's Grace
Amidst the chaos and confusion, there is a rescuer who offers us a way out. Jesus, the Son of God, came to rescue us from the kingdom of darkness and bring us into the kingdom of light. He took our place on the cross, bearing the punishment we deserved, so that we could be set free from sin and shame. It is not our actions that qualify us for this rescue, but Jesus' actions on our behalf.
Embracing the Kingdom of Light
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into the kingdom of the Son. We become children of God, no longer defined by our past mistakes or the religion of self. Our worship is redirected towards the Creator, and we find true fulfillment and purpose in glorifying Him.
Living as Rescued People
As rescued individuals, we are called to live lives worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, and being strengthened with His power. We are no longer slaves to sin but have been set free to live in the light of His love and grace. Our worship becomes a powerful testimony of His goodness and transforms the lives of those around us.
In a world that constantly pulls us towards self-centeredness and empty pursuits, we have the opportunity to embrace a different way of living. We can choose to reject the religion of self and instead embrace the truth that we have been rescued from darkness and brought into the kingdom of light. Let us live as people who have experienced the incredible grace and mercy of our rescuer, Jesus Christ, and let our lives be a testament to His love and power.