As a little boy, I watched the television series, The Courtship of Eddie’s Father (1969-1972). One episode featured the 7-year old Eddie leaning precariously over the balcony of his high rise apartment. Mrs Livingstone, the housekeeper, fearing that Eddie might fall to his death, rushed and snatched him from his dangerous perch.
The swift and violent action of Mrs Livingstone, moved Eddie from railing to floor, from danger to safety.
Some people think that when a person is saved there remains bits and pieces of his past from which he must be delivered at some point down the spiritual road. Paul, however, is quite clear to the opposite. To Christians in the Greek city of Colosse he wrote, He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Colossians 1:13).
The word delivered refers to a violent snatching away or full military onslaught and rescue with lasting results. As one author puts it: God drew us out of Satan’s kingdom to Himself. That event was the new birth. We are not gradually, progressively delivered from Satan’s power. When we placed our faith in Christ, we were instantly delivered (John MacArthur, New Testament Commentary: Colossians & Philemon, p 40).
Just as swiftly as Mrs Livingstone rescued Eddie, in the new birth God snatches His child instantly from the grip of Satan and sin’s power and moves him into the life and reign of Jesus. No further deliverance is necessary or even possible. Once delivered from the railing, you are placed on the firm and eternal foundation of Jesus Christ.
