Reigning in Life Through Jesus the Christ - Part 783

"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one, how much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life by one -- Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17)

In other words, if the offence of one judgement led to the condemnation of all men -- as in all men (and women) have fallen short of the glory of God because of Adam and Eve's transgression in the Garden -- then conversely, we should be dancing with joy that by the abundant righteousness of one -- Jesus Christ -- the free gift came upon all those who believe in Him by faith unto justification of life. 

Did you get that? We are called to a higher calling than just getting up in the morning and going to work. Indeed, Romans 5:17 uses the word "much" more for a reason. So the next question then is how much more will "they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness" reign in life because of Jesus? Think about this. Reign not only in eternal life but in this life too. Taking our rightful places because the sin that had previously reigned unto death in this world is now replaced by grace that "reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:21)

In the worldly realm, the word "reign" in the dictionary means to hold royal office, ruling as a king or queen, exercising sovereign power, and in some, being a widespread and dominant influence over the earth. The Biblical scriptures confirm our inheritance -- reign -- here on earth. 

"But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1:12) "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus ... for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27) 

Jesus said, "Ye are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth, I call you not servants, for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth, but I have called you friends -- for all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you." (John 15:14-15)

Therefore, all is not lost. "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order -- Christ the firstfruits; afterward, they that are Christ's at His coming." (I Corinthians 15:21-23)

Romans 6:23 further states: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." And Romans 5:19 -- "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."

Herein, because of Jesus, we are given hope. You see, "death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many may be dead, much more the grace of God and the gift by grace, which is by one, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as if it was by one that sinned, so is the gift; for the judgement was by one to condemnation but the free gift is of many offences unto justification." (Romans 5:14-16)

To this end, our Lord God and Saviour has given us the Kingdom. Too often, in our day to day we forget that God loved us enough to shed His precious blood on the cross. That is, "when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die, yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die ... but God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us ... much more then being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." (Romans 5:6-9)

Therefore, stagger not at the promises of God through unbelief but rather be strong in your faith, giving glory to God and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised from the beginning, He was [and still is] able to perform -- because it was imputed to Him for righteousness. 

"Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience, experience, and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5:1-5)

Ask Jesus into your heart today. Read His Word for your edification and learning. Know that we are "justified by faith" having "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1) Know too that as many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death and therefore we are buried with Him by baptism unto death -- "that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4) 

"For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection." (Romans 6:5) Reign forever in Jesus. Stand in the offering plate.