Colossians 1.13–23, Transferred into the Kingdom

“In this passage, redemption moves from darkness to light. From chaos to cosmos. From hostility to harmony.”

Colossians 1 does not begin with advice. It begins with rescue. Paul says the Father “delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” Colossians 1.13. The gospel names our old ruler, then announces our new King. God did not renovate our captivity. He carried us out and brought us home.

This is where the gospel becomes personal. Many of us still live as if darkness has the final word. We rehearse failures. We brace for God’s disappointment. We assume we must earn our way back into light. Yet Paul places the weight where it belongs. The Father reached into the pit and pulled us into the kingdom of His Son. Redemption starts with God’s initiative, not our recovery plan.

“The Father has reached into the pit that was our life and pulled us into the kingdom of His Son.”

Then Paul turns our eyes to the Son himself. Jesus is not only the one who saves. He is the one who reveals God, creates the world, holds it together, and leads the church. He is “the image of the invisible God” Colossians 1.15. He is the One through whom and for whom all things exist Colossians 1.16. He is the One who holds the world together Colossians 1.17. He is the Head of the body, the church Colossians 1.18. When your life feels unstable, Paul does not point you inward. He points you upward. Christ holds.

“This Son is the image of the invisible God, the One through whom and for whom all things exist, the One who holds the world together and heads the church.”

Then Paul tells the truth about what we were. We were alienated. We were hostile in mind Colossians 1.21. Not neutral. Not merely uninformed. Hostile. And then he tells the better truth. God reconciled us “by the blood of his cross” Colossians 1.20, and presented us holy and blameless Colossians 1.22. Peace did not come through our self-repair. Peace came through blood.

“Through His blood He reconciles all things and makes peace. He has taken enemies and made them friends.”

Paul ends with a steady call. “Continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel” Colossians 1.23. This is not anxiety. This is discipleship. Stay in His light. Cling to His hope. Live like you belong to the kingdom you have been given.

“Our call is to stay in His light, cling to His hope, and live as citizens of His kingdom.”

That is the story we live in. The Father rescues. The Son reigns. The cross makes peace. The church learns to live as a people who have been transferred.

~PW 🌮🛶

Colossians 1.13-23, Transferred into the Kingdom

The story of redemption spans from darkness to light, from chaos to cosmos, from hostility to harmony. The Father has reached into the pit that was our life and pulled us into the kingdom of His Son. This Son is the image of the invisible God, the One through whom and for whom all things exist, the One who holds the world together and heads the church. Through His blood He reconciles all things and makes peace. He has taken enemies and made them friends. Our call is to stay in His light, cling to His hope, and live as citizens of His kingdom.

Check out the full sermon and transcript here: Colossians 1.13-23, Transferred into the Kingdom