Rescued from Darkness

"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." — Colossians 1:13-14 (NIV)

Have you ever been rescued? Maybe someone pulled you from danger, helped you through a financial crisis, or stood by you in an emotional storm. I remember a time in my youth when I thought I was drowning, only to have a stranger pull me from the water. In that moment, I knew I couldn’t save myself—I needed someone else to intervene. Rescue changes everything.

In some cultures, being rescued creates a lifelong debt to the rescuer. But God’s rescue is different. He doesn’t demand repayment—He invites us into a relationship. Even before we recognized our need for rescue, His grace was already at work, drawing us toward Him. We are not burdened by obligation; instead, we are freed to live in gratitude and devotion.

In today’s passage, Paul tells us that God has rescued us from the dominion of darkness—a realm of sin, confusion, and separation from Him. This rescue is not just a temporary relief but a complete transfer into the kingdom of His Son. Through Jesus, we have redemption, meaning He paid the price for our freedom, and we have forgiveness, meaning our sins no longer define us.

Our rescue is not something we initiated—it is entirely the work of God’s grace. Wesleyan theology teaches that before we ever reached for salvation, God’s prevenient grace was already calling us, awakening our hearts, and making it possible for us to respond.

Rather than leaving us indebted in a burdensome way, God's rescue invites us into a spirit of gratitude and devotion. We don’t serve God because we owe Him—we serve Him because we love Him.

How do we respond to such a rescue? Not with reluctant obligation, but with joyful surrender. Our lives should reflect the light of Christ, living in the freedom He has given us and extending His grace to others.

Today, take a moment to reflect: How has God rescued you? And how can you share that rescue story with someone still in darkness? Maybe it’s through a conversation, an act of kindness, or simply living in the joy of redemption.

Father, thank You for rescuing me from the dominion of darkness and bringing me into the kingdom of Your Son. Thank You for Your grace that was at work even before I knew I needed rescue. I surrender my life in gratitude—help me to live in the freedom of redemption and forgiveness, not out of obligation, but out of love. May my life reflect Your light, and may I share Your rescue story with those who need it. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim