Colossians 1:13

"Handfuls of Purpose"

For All Gleaners

"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." (Colossians 1:13 .)

So the first translation has been already accomplished: we are translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Christ. By being "translated," understand that we are transplanted; we are brought from one climate to another; we are released from bondage and settled in the land of liberty. This is the real meaning of translation. Can such a translation have occurred without the heart being sensible of its reality? Can the slave have lost his chains and still imagine hat he is manacled? Christians have here the delight and the reward of perfect assurance; they are not living tentatively or inspired by a spirit of doubt or fear, caution or suspicion; they are able to say with holy positiveness that they are no longer slaves in the land of darkness and suffering, but are freemen in the kingdom of light and joy. The expression, "his dear Son," may be rendered "The Son of his love," a more sensitive and a more endearing expression. God himself is love. God calls his children his "beloved." Jesus Christ is the Son of God's love, the very expression and embodiment of his heart. Now we come upon a grand theological statement, around which controversialists have waged many battles; without heeding the ruthless combatants we may gather much that is profitable from this wondrous outpouring of religious homage and spiritual aspiration.