Colossians 1:13-14 Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:… I. Look at THE STATE OF NATURE AND SIN AS ONE OF DARKNESS. Sin is as opposed to holiness as darkness is to light, and as different from holiness as midnight from noonday. Our state by nature is one of double darkness. We have neither light nor sight. That we may be saved we require two things — a medium to see by, and eyes to see with; the revelation of the gospel, and regeneration of the Holy Spirit; Christ as an object for faith to see, faith as an eye to see Christ. As inhabitants of a Christian land we already possess one of these. There is fulness of light, and yet multitudes are wrecked and perish, and unless He, who gave sight to the blind, touch your eyes their fate will be yours. There are animals that are born blind; but after a few days their eyelids are unsealed and they are delivered from the power of darkness. But not ten years will do for us such friendly office. Not that we shall be always blind. Eternity opens the darkest eyes, but when too late, "He lift up his eyes, being in torment." 1. Darkness is a state of indolence. Night is the proper period for rest. Yet in its hours of darkness and repose, this city presents no true picture of our state by nature. We see it where a city sleeps, while eager angels point Lot's eyes to the break of day, and urge his tardy steps through the doomed streets of Sodom. Rouse thee, then, and betake thee to the Saviour. The plague of Egyptian darkness is, perhaps, the best illustration. "They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days." Many a man has not risen from his place for ten times three years and more. He is no nearer heaven than he was long, long ago. "Give diligence to make your calling and election sure." 2. Darkness is a state of ignorance. Ugliness and beauty, friend and foe, are all one in the dark, and so are the solid ground and the yawning precipice. Many a gallant ship has perished in a fog, and many a sinner in guilty ignorance. The greatest of mistakes is to miss the path of heaven, and yet how many, turning from Christ, are missing it? Some think that their charities and duties will save them; others a routine of outward services; others that they may go on a little longer in sin and then turn. 3. Darkness is a state of danger. (1) As locks and bars prove neither life nor property is safe at night. The prowling thief, the hiding assassin, the gaudy tempter, are but types of the great enemy who takes advantage of spiritual darkness to ruin sinners. (2) Such danger is there in darkness that people have perished almost at their own doors: and many die at the gate of salvation, and by the very door of heaven (2 Corinthians 4:4). (3) In respect of its power over men what can be compared to mental, moral, and spiritual darkness? (a) Look at Popery! She immures her votaries in a gloomier dungeon than ever held her victims. God sends them His blessed Word, but they dare not open it; and, greatest triumph of darkness, they refuse instruction. "If the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness?"(b) But how many among ourselves lie under the delusion that though the happiness they seek in the world has eluded their grasp, they will yet embrace the mocking phantom! How many are putting away the claims of Christ and their souls to a more convenient season? Many fancy themselves safe who are ready to perish. II. EVEN GOD'S PEOPLE REMAIN IN MORE OR LESS DARKNESS, SO LONG AS THEY ARE. HERE. 1. They may be in darkness through ignorance. (1) Having abandoned the works of darkness, and "become children of light," yet all do not enjoy the same measure of light, nor possess equal powers of sight; hence those conflicting views which have separated brother from brother. (2) While some saints enjoy a clear assurance of their salvation, others pass their days in despondency. By the help of God's Word, their compass, they succeed in steering their way to heaven, but it is over a troubled sea, and under a cloudy sky. 2. They may be in darkness through sin. So long as you walk in the path of God's commandments you walk in the light; but in turning aside from that we have withdrawn from it. He that descends into a pit leaves the light, not the light him. And the deeper the saint sinks in sin, the darker it grows. God will not smile on His child sinning; and that which would befall our world were the sun withdrawn, befalls his soul; a chilling cold follows on the darkness, and but for restoring grace death would ensue. 3. They may be in more or less darkness as to their spiritual state. It is easy to account for such a case as David's; but there are cases of religious desertion that do not admit of being thus explained. Hear that "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me." In such cases, however, God does not leave you comfortless. You may retain your hold when you lose your sight of Him; and the sun, which has struggled through clouds all day long, often breaks forth into golden splendour at his setting. Not seldom have hopes that never brighten life broken forth to gild the departing hour. (T. Guthrie, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: |
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