As followers of Jesus, we are not of this world (John 15:19). Our calling is to “be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29), “transformed by the renewing of [our] mind” (Romans 12:2), and to “put on Christ” (Romans 13:14) so the divine nature becomes our nature. “For it is God who works in [us], both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). We’re dead to the old life, reborn to the new. We are God’s born-again children, adopted, heirs of the kingdom. God—the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit—dwells in our hearts! 1

We are also called to help rescue souls from the domain of darkness and to help open their spiritual eyes to the truth, so they too can experience God’s great love, forgiveness, and true spiritual freedom.

Jesus sees each one of us. Each person has been created and is loved by our heavenly Father, who makes His sun rise over the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). He sent His Son for all people; all are loved. We have been born again by grace and share in His purpose, even this: “The Lord has anointed me… sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1).

Who are these captives? Could this include those who are caught in the domain of darkness as well? We are not to condone, overlook, or minimize the evil of those who perpetrate it, but as God’s children, we have been commissioned to reach the lost, regardless of who they are or what they have done, with the gospel of grace. “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people” (Titus 2:11). “I did not come to judge the world but to save the world” (John 12:47).

Our King has us here to be His peacemakers. Let’s not become distracted or entangled in the affairs of this world, but let’s “set our affection on things above” (Colossians 3:2). Let us “walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8), as the children of God.

“The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16).

  1. See Romans 6:6; John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:17. ↑