In Colossians 1:12-14, the Apostle Paul states that we, as believers, should be: "giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
D. A. Carson is a Canadian-born evangelical Pastor and Theologian who has served as Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois since 1978. Along the way, he has edited and/or authored over fifty books.
In his work, A Call to Spiritual Reformation: Priorities from Paul and His Prayers (Baker Books, 1992), he makes the following insightful observation regarding Paul’s statements in Colossians chapter one above.
“If God had perceived that our greatest need was economic, He would have sent an economist.
If He had perceived that our greatest need was entertainment, He would have sent us a comedian or an artist.
If God had perceived that our greatest need was political stability, He would have sent us a politician.
If he had perceived that our greatest need was health, He would have sent us a doctor.
But He perceived that our greatest need involved our sin, our alienation from Him, our profound rebellion, our death, and He sent us a Savior.
What Paul is saying is that to live a life worthy of Jesus Christ is to overflow with joyful thanksgiving in the light of salvation we have received at His hand. If we have been transferred out of the dominion of darkness and into the kingdom of the Son beloved by God, our only appropriate response is joyful gratitude.”
May I add a hardy “Amen”! Praise God that He has met our every need in Christ Jesus. May we ever be cognizant of this! May we ever be thankful for this! And may we ever praise Him for this!
D. A. Carson is a Canadian-born evangelical Pastor and Theologian who has served as Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois since 1978. Along the way, he has edited and/or authored over fifty books.
In his work, A Call to Spiritual Reformation: Priorities from Paul and His Prayers (Baker Books, 1992), he makes the following insightful observation regarding Paul’s statements in Colossians chapter one above.
“If God had perceived that our greatest need was economic, He would have sent an economist.
If He had perceived that our greatest need was entertainment, He would have sent us a comedian or an artist.
If God had perceived that our greatest need was political stability, He would have sent us a politician.
If he had perceived that our greatest need was health, He would have sent us a doctor.
But He perceived that our greatest need involved our sin, our alienation from Him, our profound rebellion, our death, and He sent us a Savior.
What Paul is saying is that to live a life worthy of Jesus Christ is to overflow with joyful thanksgiving in the light of salvation we have received at His hand. If we have been transferred out of the dominion of darkness and into the kingdom of the Son beloved by God, our only appropriate response is joyful gratitude.”
May I add a hardy “Amen”! Praise God that He has met our every need in Christ Jesus. May we ever be cognizant of this! May we ever be thankful for this! And may we ever praise Him for this!