Called to Reign Text: Romans 5:17
17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)
Paul explores the contracts between the condemning act of Adam and the redemptive act of Christ. Adam’s sin brought universal death- satan promised Adam, “you will be like God.” He lied. However, Jesus’ sacrifice brought salvation to those who believe. Remember this, Jesus’ one act of redemption was immeasurably greater than Adam’s one act of condemnation.
Romans 5:17b...much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)
“abundance” of grace. How much is that? Did I get just enough to get by and that is it? Or did I just get a teacup full, a measure of grace? Or just enough to get saved and no more, is that all the grace that God extended to me, and now am I on my own? It is abundant; it is given without a hitch, without strings attached and without measurement. It keeps on giving every moment of every day, throughout our entire lives.
Unlike Adam’s act, Christ’s act has- and will-accomplish exactly what He intended.
He’s called us to ‘reign!’ That’s a period during which something or somebody is dominant or powerful.
The word reign here means, to reign in life as a king, to have kingly rule and to possess Kingly dominion. Based on the authority of God’s Word, you are destined to “reign in life” as a king, to have Kingly dominion over all your challenges and circumstances. You are called to be above them all, and not be trampled by them. The time has come for you to stop abdicating your right to reign in life! Remember, (God through His Son has postioned you and called you to reign.)
*Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Notice verse 4, But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
We were Spiritually dead, but God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love... John 3:16 For God so love the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes shall not perish, but have everlasting life.
Salvation is for God’s glory! He took you when you were Spiritually dead, and gave you His boundless mercy and love!
Verse 5 says, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
I want every self-proclaimed believer to hear this, Spiritually speaking, “at your best, you were dead in trespasses!”
Salvation brings Spiritual life to the dead. Remember, the power that raises believers out of death, is the same power that brought them life, and it’s the same power that energizes every aspect of Christian living.
“We aren’t to live some old, cold and lifeless life!”
Ephesians 2:6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
The tense of “raised” and “made” indicates that these are immediate and direct results of salvation.
Not only is the believer dead to sin and alive to righteousness through Christ’s resurrection, but he or she also enjoys his Lord’s exaltation and glory.
Verse 6 say’s, in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. This is the supernatural realm where God reigns.
This spiritual realm is where believer’s blessings are. Listen to Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
This spiritual realm, is where are inheritance is, I Peter 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
This spiritual realm, It’s where our affections should be, Colossians 3:2-3 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Again Ephesians 2, verse 6 say’s, in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. It is the realm from which all divine revelation has come and where all praise and petitions go.
The Bible states very clear that we are to reign in life through Jesus Christ just by receiving two things from Him: 1. The abundance of grace. 2. The gift of righteousness. (He declared you righteous at the cross!)
Man thinks that for God to bless him, he needs to deserve, earn and merit God’s favor. Man thinks that God’s blessings are based on his performance and good works.
However, this isn’t God’s way. His way is not about achieving, but about receiving! (You are to receive.)
The world’s system of success is built on the twin pillars of self effort and diligence. We are driven to “do, do, do,” forgetting that Christianity is actually “done, done, done.”
The world system say’s, No pain no gain, but Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “It is finished!”
Maybe you are wondering, “What is all this business about ‘chairs’ and ‘sitting down?” “Sitting down” according to the Bible is a picture of the believer resting in the finished and completed work of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 10:12,14 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 14. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
**Again listen to verse 14, It declares that You were perfected forever!
Your works, your self-efforts, will, and can rob you of reigning in life by His grace. You cannot earn your salvation, your healing, or your financial breakthrough by your own efforts.
Hear me, “If the greatest miracle- being saved from hell- comes by grace through faith, and not by your works, how much more the lesser miracles, such as healing, prosperity, and restored marriages.”
**Today, I want you to allow the Holy Spirit to teach you to start depending on Jesus’ finished work on the cross.
This is God’s effortless way to success, wholeness, and victorious living!
God has called you to reign! Prayer.
