The gospel is not advice about how to rescue ourselves.
It is the good news that God has already come to rescue us.
Through Jesus, we have been brought out of darkness and into His kingdom.
Colossians 1:13–14, “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.” (NIV)
You have been redeemed,
your freedom has been purchased
and your sins have been forgiven.
You are not defined by the darkness God rescued you from,
but by the kingdom of light He brought you into.
Now, your past is no longer your master.
Shame no longer gets the final word.
Darkness no longer determines your identity.
You belong to Jesus now and forever.
When you wonder whether or not you are loved,
remember the miraculous work God has done in you.
Darkness still exists,
but you don’t live there anymore.
Today you are not trying to earn your way into His kingdom.
You are learning to live loved in your new home.
Jesus, thank You for rescuing me, redeeming me, and forgiving me. Help me live today as someone who lives in the light of Your love and rescued from the darkness of this world. In Your Powerful Name, Amen.