Colossians 1:13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

This is a vitally important truth that the devil does all he can to keep us from realizing. Once we acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord, we no longer belong to the darkness that is all around us, but we are in the kingdom of God, which is light and life and holiness and all the rest. The problem is, we don’t always feel like it, and we don’t always act like it either. It is a completed transaction for eternity, but we don’t always enjoy the benefits because of ignorance and unbelief. I’m reminded of Paul’s Roman citizenship. It was a valuable, powerful thing, but when it wasn’t recognized by those around him, he didn’t get the benefit. In our case, it isn’t those around us who matter, it is we ourselves who need to realize that we no longer belong to the world, but we belong to Christ. The usual expression is, “there is a world of difference,” but in this case the difference is more than a world, it’s an eternity and an infinity of difference! The more and better we grasp this, the more we will act like it in our daily lives. Paul didn’t know this particular group of believers personally, but he knew Epaphras, who had won them to the Lord, (verse 7) and so he had assurance that they had been taught the truth of the Gospel, and he just wanted to cement that in their awareness. We too, as we grow deeper into Christ, should be praying for others that they would likewise grow in Him, so that together we may walk in all that God provided for us in Him, for His glory.

As a missionary pastor I am charged with helping others know and understand the things of the Kingdom, but I don’t always care so much about groups other than my own. Paul wrote this letter to people he had never met, and he talks about praying for them. I have minister friends literally all over the globe, and I need to be praying for their congregations to grow in knowledge and faith just as I pray for my own. I am certainly subject to human limitations, so I should not accuse myself over this, but I know I will be blessed if I do it. I have a friend in Nepal whom I have known for many years, though we have only met online. He is faithful in much more difficult circumstances than I endure, and I recently contributed to his building fund, but I realize that though I pray for him and his family, I haven’t been praying for his congregation! I also have minister friends in other countries around the world, not to mention here in Japan, so I should be praying for God’s revelation and the power of His Spirit to be poured out on every group. The battle will not be won by the ministers alone, but by the Body of Christ as a whole, and that means the believers. Since I desire that God’s name be recognized as holy and His rule and reign be established as His will is done, then I need to be praying for those who are to be instruments of that happening. If I will do that, then the consummation of God’s plans will come all the more quickly, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this Word. I don’t know that I’ve ever thought of how praying for other congregations would prepare the way for Christ’s return. Help me be faithful in all You show me, so that indeed, Your will may be done fully in and through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!