He Has Delivered Us From the Power of Darkness Colossians 1:13 Devotional

In this Colossians 1:13 devotional, we’re looking at a Bible verse for Halloween that’s perfect for the season. This verse is a beautiful reminder of our forgiveness of sin and redemption through the blood of Jesus! It’s all about Jesus rescuing us from darkness and bringing us into the Kingdom of Light.

Colossians 1:13 Meaning

This New Testament verse is a beautiful reminder of our forgiveness of sin and redemption through the blood of Jesus!

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:13-14 NKJV

Not long ago, we were singing an old song about the blood of Jesus at church. Afterward, someone I was with asked, why would Christians would talk about such a thing. It may seem strange, even macabre to people who aren’t believers to talk about blood. But it’s the sacrifice of Jesus and His blood that gives us salvation. By no other means but the blood of Jesus can we be forgiven and redeemed! Because of His blood covering us, we can enter into the kingdom of heaven.

So, while this may be the perfect Bible verse to talk about during Halloween, it’s also a great scripture to read any time of the year. Because with Jesus, every day is a reason to celebrate, holiday or not. So, let’s get into this devotional and discover how the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave has delivered us from the forces of evil and our sin and shame.

Delivered from the Power of Darkness

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, paints a vivid picture of our spiritual state before we accepted Christ. He speaks of the “power of darkness,” a domain ruled by Satan, where the “ruler of the darkness of this world” holds sway. This power of darkness is a terrifying reality, but for our benefit, Paul doesn’t shy away from addressing it.

Before coming to faith in Jesus Christ, we were trapped in this dominion of darkness, bound by chains of darkness, and living in a state of nature that was far removed from God’s glorious power. This domain of darkness isn’t just a metaphor but a real danger that the Bible warns us about repeatedly. The power of darkness dominates our society, and its influence can be seen in the evil deeds that permeate the world, in the way people refuse to believe in God that holds people in bondage, and the various ways the kingdom of Satan is evident around us.

This dark reality is all around us, we just can’t see it with our human eye. It takes spiritual eyes and knowledge to see the spiritual warfare that’s going on in this world. The truth is, God has given the devil a place in this earth. For the present time, Satan has a foothold and Chrisitans are locked in a spiritual battle. Here’s another verse from the Apostle Paul that sums it up for us.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

Paul’s message in Colossians 1:13 isn’t one of despair. Instead, he speaks of the powerful grace of God that delivers us from this darkness. Through Christ Jesus, we’re rescued from our former sinful life and brought into the kingdom of light. This is the greatest gift we’ll ever receive, the Word of God made flesh, coming to rescue us from the dominion of darkness and convey us into the kingdom of His beloved Son.

Conveyed into the Kingdom of His Beloved Son

The word “conveyed” in Colossians 1:13 is a weird phrase we don’t use much in our modern vocabulary, but it’s significant. It means to be transferred or carried and usually sealed. However, in Colossians 1:13, it’s bigger than just about being removed from one place, it’s about being transported to a new, better place, and completely sealed in God’s grace. We’ve been moved from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Christ, where the sufficiency of Christ reigns. This kingdom is the kingdom of His dear Son, where we have redemption, forgiveness of sins, and a new identity in Christ.

Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:11 NLT

The kingdom of His beloved Son is a kingdom of light, where the express image of His person shines brightly. While we were once overshadowed by darness, now we’re in the true spiritual light of God’s Son. In this new kingdom, we’re no longer under the dominion of darkness but are instead filled with the knowledge of God and the knowledge of His will. His divine light guides us in all things, helping us live a life worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ and the grace we receive through faith in Him.

When we think about the Son of His love, we need to reflect on the cost of our conveyance into this kingdom. It’s easy to overlook the significance of what Jesus did for us on the cross. But it’s by His blood that we’re redeemed and conveyed into this new life.

Redemption Through His Blood

Redemption is a powerful word, and in the context of Colossians 1:13, it speaks to the rescue operations that God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son undertook to save us. The word redemption carries with it the idea of being bought back at a price, or of being set free from bondage. In the ancient world, redemption often referred to the buying back of a slave or a captive, freeing them from their former state of oppression.

For us, redemption means being freed from the power of Satan, the chains of darkness that once held us, our own sinful nature,and being brought into the glorious light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. This is the light of the gospel, that shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The following verses remind us of our redemption through the blood of Jesus.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

Ephesians 1:7 NIV

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:7 NKJV

Through the blood of Jesus, we’ve been redeemed from the power of darkness. This redemption isn’t just a one-time event, it’s an ongoing process. As we grow in our Christian life, we’re continually being transformed by the Holy Spirit, who works in us to conform us to the image of the invisible God.

This is the beauty of our salvation, that Christ’s kingdom is one of ongoing transformation, where we’re being made more like Him every day. It’s a kingdom where the fullness of God dwells, and where we’re being filled with all spiritual wisdom and understanding by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Print this Colossians 1:13 Free Bible Verse for Halloween Printable Art.

Use it for a fun Halloween wall decor or tie to trick-or-treat bags for the neighborhood kid’s Halloween candy!

To download this printable scripture, just click on the picture.

The Forgiveness of Sins

The forgiveness of sins is central to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Without it, there would be no hope, no salvation, and no entry into the kingdom of God. The forgiveness of sins is what allows us to stand before God, cleansed and righteous, not because of anything we’ve done, but because of what Christ has done for us. It’s the free gift of grace that’s given to us when we accept Jesus as our Savior. In the following verses, we can see God’s mercy and love on display through this indescribable gift of grace.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 2:4-6 NKJV

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV

In Colossians 1:13, Paul reminds us that it’s through the blood of Jesus that we have this forgiveness. His blood is more than just a symbol, it’s the only way that we’re cleansed from our sins. It’s what makes us a new creation in Christ, enabling us to leave behind our former sinful selves and walk in the newness of life.

The forgiveness of sins is also what unites us as a Christian community. It brings us together as God’s elect, chosen to be holy and blameless in His sight. And it allows us to live in personal relationships with each another, with grace, love, and forgiveness, jsut as God had done for us.

Living in the Kingdom of Light

Now that we have been delivered from the power of darkness and conveyed into the kingdom of light, how should we live? The book of Colossians gives us clear instructions on how to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Living in the kingdom of light means living in the power of God, relying on His strength rather than our own. It means walking in the light, as He is in the light, and having fellowship with one another. It means rejecting the works of darkness and embracing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. But this isn’t a new concept, this Old Testament scripture also calls us to walk in the light of the Lord.

Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Isaiah 2:5 NIV

As we live in God’s kingdom, we’re called to reflect the glory of God in everything we do. We’re called to be ambassadors of Christ’s kingdom, bringing the light of the gospel to those who are still trapped in the domain of darkness. This is our mission, our God-given purpose as followers of Christ.

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The Hope of Glory

Colossians 1:13 reminds us of the hope of glory that awaits us. This isn’t just a future hope, it’s our present reality. Christ in us is the hope of glory, the assurance that we’re now and forever part of His kingdom. Paul shared this hope with the Colossians a little further in his letter.

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:27 ESV

This hope of glory sustains us, even when we face tough times, challenges, and the ongoing spiritual warfare against the powers of darkness that surround us. It’s what gives us the strength to persevere, knowing that the power of Satan has been defeated, that Christ is victorious, and that we have victory in Jesus as a result.

In this hope, we can rejoice, knowing that we’re no longer under the dominion of darkness but instead, we’re living in the kingdom of light. This is the everlasting life that we’ve been brought into, a state of grace, peace, and joy in God’s presence.

The Power of the Gospel

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. It’s the Good News that has the power to rescue us from the kingdom of darkness and bring us into the kingdom of His beloved Son. It’s the message of redemption, forgiveness, and new life in Christ. Here’s what Paul said about the power of the gospel.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16 ESV

When we share the gospel with others, we’re participating in the rescue operations that God is carrying out in the world. We’re bringing the light of the gospel to those who are still in darkness, showing them the way of salvation, and inviting them to enter into the kingdom of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

The power of the gospel isn’t just something we proclaim with our words, it’s something we live out in our daily lives. It’s what compels us to love others, to serve them, and to share the hope we have in Christ Jesus with them.

Walking Worthy of the Lord

Just before Colossians 1:13, Paul reminds us to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. This isn’t just about avoiding sin, it’s about living a life that reflects the glory of God, a life that follows God’s will and is fully pleasing to Him.

For this reason we also, since the day we heard about it, have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, ^b]”>to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God

Colossians 1:9-10 NASB

This scripture tells us that walking worthy of the Lord means bearing fruit through doing good things in Jesus’ name, learning more about God and our relationship with Him by reading the Bible, and taking our worries, doubt, and fear to Him in prayer and allowing Him to strengthen us with all power according to His glorious might. And it means living in the fullness of God, filled with all spiritual wisdom and understanding, and growing in our faith in Jesus Christ.

As we walk in this way, we’re living out the reality of our new identity in Christ. We’re no longer slaves to the power of darkness, we’re children of light, heirs of the kingdom of God, and ambassadors of Christ’s kingdom.

Seeing God’s Hand in Our Redemption

As we reflect on Colossians 1:13, we can’t help but see God’s hand at work in every detail of our redemption. His hand is the guiding force that has delivered us from the power of darkness, lifting us out of the domain of Satan’s kingdom, and placing us into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. We couldn’t accomplish this on our own, it’s the work of a loving Heavenly Father who reaches down to rescue His children from the snares of the enemy.

God’s hand is also seen in the sacrifice of Jesus, where the blood of Christ was shed to secure our forgiveness of sins. It’s a powerful reminder that the hand of God is always at work, orchestrating our salvation with precision and grace. Just as His hand created the heavens and the earth, it also shapes our spiritual journey, leading us out of darkness and into the light of His kingdom. This Old Testament psalm encourages us during these times.

Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will take hold of me.

Psalm 139:10 NASB

In every trial and victory, in every moment of doubt and faith, we can trust that God’s hand is guiding us, holding us, and shaping our lives according to His perfect will. As we grow in the knowledge of God and walk in His light, we’ll continue to see His hand at work in our lives, drawing us closer to Him and deeper into the riches of His love.

A New Life in Christ

Colossians 1:13 is also a powerful reminder of what Jesus has done for us. He has delivered us from the power of darkness, conveyed us into the His Kingdom, and given us a new life in Christ. This new life is marked by redemption, forgiveness, and the hope of eternal glory. This truth is echoed in another of the Apostle Paul’s letters.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Moving forward, let’s remember that we’re no longer bound by the chains of darkness. Instead, we’re free, living in the kingdom of light, and called to shine that light in a dark world. Our lives should reflect the transformation that has taken place inside of us, as we walk in the power of God and the fullness of His grace.

This Halloween, as the world around us focuses on the imagery of darkness, we have the opportunity to focus on the true light, the light of Christ that has shattered the darkness and brought us into His marvelous kingdom. We can celebrate with joy and thanksgiving, knowing that we’re part of the kingdom of His beloved Son, rescued from the dominion of darkness and now living in the glorious power of His love.

As you think about what you’ve learned in this Colossians 1:13 devotional, I pray it will remind you of the greatest gift you’ve ever received, the gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus. And this truth will encourage you to live each day in a manner worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit in every good work, and growing in the knowledge of God.

I hope you have a safe and fun Halloween. And that you will take time out this holiday to remember the loving sacrifice of the One who lived a sinless, perfect life and died on the cross to set you free!