Sunday, June 5, 2016

The greater domain revealed Col 1:13


13 For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, (Col 1:13 NAS)

The Greek word translated “domain” is ἐξουσία (exsousia) literally means: authority. Used in the context of Col 1:13 it refers to a sphere or domain that is designated to darkness. Two key words worthy to note are "delivered" and "transferred", which apply to the person who has received redemption and forgives of sin (:14).
This passage demonstrates the supremacy of Christ, and provides sufficient grounds to disprove the common belief of dualism, the idea of two equal powers caught up in a cosmic struggle between good and evil. Colossians clearly settles the issue by placing Christ above, before, and over all things. 

15 And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation.
 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created by Him and for Him.
 17 And He is before all things… (Col 1:15-17a NAS)

It is an incredible thing to realize that without divine revelation one would never truly be able to escape the darkness. CS Lewis once said in his book Mere Christianity, that “a fish would not feel wet because water is all he has ever known," in contrast “A man feels wet when he falls into the water because he is not a water animal”. People were not designed to live in darkness, and even when one has not seen nor understood the light of the gospel, there is something deep in their very soul that clings to meaning, to seek and understand truth. Yet until one aligns themself with the supremacy of Christ, they have no grounds to understand, and will gravitate sooner or later to despair, to the darkness, because that is their domain. The greatest danger for the soul is to think they can navigate from a finite perspective - a limited position.


This is a passage of great authority, that tells us we have to be delivered, transferred and in the process be transformed by a greater authority, to break free of a dark realm to enter a greater domain.  “For in Him all things hold together (Col 1:17b).”  

The chilling fact that humanity is on a time clock that is winding down, that calls one to question some of these issues later in life, if not before. It is not as if the watchmaker has walked away, in fact he has been here all along and will soon make visible the things which we did not understand. He will call us to account regarding how we have responded to His revelation, both general and specific. For when the Son returns  “…every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth,11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, (Phi 2:10-11 NAS).  CS Lewis put it this way,  “when the author walks out on the stage, the play is over." 

As we get older we realize that the hours and minutes become more important. Relationships or lack there of begin to occupy the mind. We understand our time is limited. This is the reality of the old realm… everything leads to death and finality. But the new realm, now that is different. The greater domain looks to the eternal and moves towards life. There is a worthiness in giving, and hope that grows as vision gets clearer when it moves closer to the light. Contentment and peace calm the soul and purpose takes hold of this life as it is realized. Now this is something worthy to ponder.