Example, the word “delivered” we understand it in the sense of bringing a package to our door step, or in the sense of rescue, “I was delivered from danger.” However in the Greek it goes one step further, not only are we delivered from danger, but we are brought to something. So in context we are rescued from the “power of darkness” to the “kingdom of his dear son,” Heaven.
Pardon the next analogy, but my Pug is sitting right next to me. To rescue a stray dog from danger and set him free is not true freedom or rescue, for the stray dog will more than likely become in danger and need (delivering) again. However, if once delivered I take him home to live with me, giving him love, food and shelter, that now becomes a complete deliverance, and such is this word. Saved from darkness and “translated into the Kingdom of his dear son.” I’ll explain “translated” in part two, but in essence we are brought home via the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, something we discussed last week.
Next words, “power of darkness.” The translation of this word will raise a few questions. “Power” has a compound meaning involving power to do, with permission to do it. In short God has “allowed or granted” satan a space, a time period to work. And it is important to note that this power is supernatural, no human strength or will on its own can resist it. Evil, misery, hate, slavery, etc., and much more exist as a result of this.
And closer to home, we have divorce, immoral behavior, drugs, prostitution, all as a result of the ” power of darkness.” Added to this we have our own sin nature. If you are a parent I don’t need to explain this to you. We are never asking our children to stop sharing, or to stop speaking so kind to one another, it’s just the opposite.
That nature of self exertion or the “me first” complex starts extremely early on. As we mature we learn better ways to deal with it, keeping it in check, but it never disappears and often gets out. There is a spiritual battle going on for the dominance of our lives and the wreckage of it is apparent.
I know for some I am preaching to the choir, but for others this may be a bit uncomfortable. Again my goal is not to make up your mind, but to expose you to what the Bible says about life. So we will end with this question for next week’s devotion, “if evil exists in the world by permission, why does God allow it?”
Father God this is a bit beyond me, spiritual thought and your way of looking at life. It is very different from my normal every day life, and a little out there. However I can see the pain of sins effect, both in others and in my own life. I do not want to make decisions that will cause pain or that I will regret later. Please help me to make right choices, and not just for myself but for those whom I love and depend on me. Thank you and Amen