Google Earth
for He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, Colossians 1:13
The Domain of Darkness – Where were you when God had to drag you out to deliver you? According to Paul, you and I were in the “domain of darkness.” You can Google Earth to find this place, but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t appear. If you read it in Greek, you would know why. The Greek is exousias tou skotous, not just “domain” but the authority of darkness. Darkness takes ownership wherever the powers that oppose God are given authority. Now go to Google Earth. Darkness is everywhere God does not rule, even in your own house!
If the Kingdom of heaven is the reign and rule of God in the hearts and minds of men, what do you suppose the domain of darkness is? It is the reign and rule of the enemy in the lives of men and women. It is tares among the wheat, leaven in the dough. It’s everywhere, but it was never a place. “Domain” is a word about control. The question is not where you live, but rather whose authority you serve.
Let’s be clear about authority. Exousia means, “the power, ability, strength and permission to do something.” Authority is a by-product of choice. God granted you authority* the day you were born. The only question in your life is this: Will you give your birth authority back to Him so that His authority rules your life? Those who retain their birth authority align themselves with the domain of darkness. The exousia of darkness is the power and permission to act in opposition to the will of God. You don’t have to be a terrible person, a criminal or an atheist to belong to the domain of darkness. All you have to do is decide for yourself. If God is not leading, then you are not under His authority.
Did you notice that Paul says we are delivered (dragged) from the authority of darkness? That little word is ek. It means “out of”. You were swimming in the sewer and God dragged you out. You were not delivered so that you could breathe the stench. You were delivered so that you could leave all that behind. God’s purpose is to get you out of darkness so that you can operate in the light. He wants you to see what you are doing, not be blind to your own actions. Perhaps we should put the right label on the domain of darkness. It is blind authority. You might think that making your own choices is the way to go. The world’s management system certainly advocates that approach. But God doesn’t. Since He knows much more than you do, and His will is perfect, He asks you to let Him take charge. You can be delivered from the tyranny of living blind to the truth. But you will have to give up running the show. No man can serve two masters, right?
*In the Bible, this kind of authority is always granted to someone. It is never earned. Your authority rests on the will of the one you serve.
