Reigning in Life
For if by one man’s (Adam’s) offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Rom. 5:17
Notice some contrasts in our text:
1. JESUS and LIFE
2. ADAM and DEATH
What is reigning?
The Greek word for “reign” is basileuo and it means to “rule from a source of power” as a king rules over a country. It means to be in charge; to be in control; to have and exercise authority. It means to be in command; in power. It means to have dominion; to subdue, to restrict; to rule. It means to be able to live as a king and to exercises kingly power and kingly authority over all areas of life.
Jesus has made it possible for all believers to reign (rule, be in charge, and exercise power, control and authority) over every area of life. That is life now as well as life to come. We do not have to wait until we die and go to heaven to rule and reign. We do not have to wait until the Millennium to rule and reign. The Bible says that we (believers) shall “reign in life” by Christ Jesus.
For if, because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive (God’s) overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness (putting them into right standing with Himself) reign as kings in life through the One, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One… Rom 5:19 Amp.
Remember: what God did in Christ is greater than what Satan did in Adam. Jesus undid what Satan did in Adam. If we are certainly sinners at the first birth, we are more certainly the Children of God at our second birth.
Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound… Rom 5:20
But where sin increased and abounded, grace (God’s unmerited favor) has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded… Rom 5: 20. Amp .
Your life right now is either in control, out of control or under control. This means everything about you… your mind, your body, your desires, your family, your finances, your future, your state of being. You are this minute in control, out of control, or under the control of demonic forces, powers of darkness; habits, thoughts, inclinations, worries, fears, weaknesses, sickness, disease, appetites, etc.
God wants you in control. Jesus wants you in control. The Holy Spirit wants you in control. I want you in control. And you can be in control! You can reign in life!
Foundation Principles
God has set forth some principles in His Word that will work. They will work anytime and they will work all the time. They will work for you and me to keep us alive and well and prosperous. They will protect us and keep us and provide for us… regardless of our situation or circumstance. They will work regardless of the time, place or conditions around us. These principles are not subject to the World System. They are from God to us and they are guaranteed to work. The power that enforces them is the Blood of Jesus Christ.
The sooner we learn that God, God’s Word, God’s Will and God’s Principles are not influenced, controlled or subject to the kosmos (world system) but are superior to the world system, the sooner we will be able to move into complete victory. God has given us everything and all things that we need to Reign in Life.
The main thrust of the Christian Faith is victory. Victory over sin, victory over sickness, victory over poverty, victory over failure, victory over defeat, victory over death, victory over lack, victory over sadness, victory over depression, victory over worry, victory over anxiety, victory over fear…. Victory that will enable you to Reign in Life.
There are at least five major areas of Revelation that the believer needs to have fully functioning in his spiritual walk in order for him to reign in life. These are functioning principles. It is not enough to merely know about them… it is necessary for them to be fully functional and continually operating in our daily life. Here they are:
1. A Revelation of FAITH
2. A Revelation of the WORD
3. A Revelation of the BELIEVER’S AUTHORITY
4. A Revelation of the GOSPEL of CHRIST
5. A Revelation of the PURPOSE of GOD
Perhaps we need a brief explanation of what is meant by Revelation. Of course, we are not referring to the New Testament Book that is called by this name. We are instead, referring to a dimension of comprehension. The word revelation comes from the Greek apokalupsis which means to lay bear, to disclose, to uncover; to reveal things before unknown, and it can be used of events or facts which hitherto have been withdrawn but are now made visible and understandable. A good example of this can be found when Simon Peter came with Jesus and the other disciples into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi:
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? Matt. 16:13
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Matt. 16:14
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Matt. 16:15
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matt. 16:16
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Matt. 16:17
Peter spoke a truth that was beyond his natural reasoning. He made a declaration that came directly from God and one that stated a truth he was totally convinced of. He literally spoke out of his heart and not out of his head. This is revelation. A revelation is a truth that is revealed from God to the inner most heart of the believer. It is a Knowing. It is a Knowing that goes beyond reasoning or natural thinking. It is a surety. It is a certainty. It is an assurance. It is this kind of knowing that is essential to Reigning in Life. It is a revelation of Truth. This is what we mean by revelation.
NEXT: The Revelation of FAITH
dickbraswell 
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