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

Dominion...such a powerful word. It comes complete with all sorts of connotation, mostly not at all too pleasant. The dictionary defines it as follows: The power or right of governing and controlling; sovereign authority.

That produces some pretty potent imagery. Power...right of governing...control...sovereign authority. The word also alludes to a territory of sorts; a domain with clearly delineated borders wherin laws are able to be imposed and enforced. Dominion...a curious word, indeed. The word's usage in the above scripture is taken from the greek word exousia, which, in this context, means the power of rule or government; authority.

In contemplating the levels of meaning contained in this single word, I realized how poignant Paul's words in the above scripture really are.

Regardless of how good, thoughtful, well-meaning, caring, generous, gentle, selfless or helpful we are...we were born into a dominion of darkness. No, it wasn't our fault and we didn't do anything to deserve it. This particular dominion is inescapable; a land with such impenetrable borders as to forever imprison all who live within. Not the smallest hope of flight can be achieved by studying it's specifications. Neither can the guards be bribed or persuaded with flattery. No amount of success within the dominion can catapult us out from under the effective range of this brutal regime. We can try to ease the pain of our oppressed brothers and sisters through philanthropy, solidarity and charity, but in the end, we still walk the streets of our prison, breathing air laced with the impending promise of death. Ours is a wretched situation of unimaginable circumstances.

The outlook is not good...for no single denizen of this dark dominion has ever escaped under his own power. No tunnels were deep enough; no ladders were high enough; no arguments were strong enough; no appeals were credible enough. All was lost.

Then, a liberator was sent, who had even more authority and power. He spoke of another kingdom; a place of light. Many chose to go. Many did not. But he keeps trying, everyday, to deliver the oppressed from this dominion of darkness into his own kingdom. We find ourselves at war.

So, for we, who believe, the idea of being rescued from darkness has an impact that throws us to our knees. The implications are earth-shaking. We are prostrate when we consider our brothers and sisters still under the rule of the dark dominion; barely existing with a muted sense of who they really are. Don't forget...we were once as they are. Do you remember how it felt? Do you?

There is no grey in this battle. We are either under the rule of darkness, or we are willing citizens of the kingdom of light. The war is real...and so are the casualties.