Who does Paul address when he uses 'us' in Colossians 1:12-13?
Paul addresses believers, specifically Gentile believers in the church, when he uses 'us' in Colossians 1:12-13. The context states he writes to Gentiles and always speaks to or on behalf of believers, never unbelievers, praying for the Colossian believers.
Les teaches that in Colossians chapter 1 Paul now writes to us Gentiles and is praying for the Colossi believers. That prayer is certainly valid for us today. Paul always speaks to or on behalf of believers, never an unbeliever. So when Paul says the Father has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son, the 'us' refers to believers—the church, the heavenly people of God. If you are a child of God, you are in the kingdom, and when Christ comes at His second coming to set up the kingdom on earth, we will be with Him.