Theme: THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF HIS GRACE
DAY 21, Read Romans 5:12-21
REIGNING IN LIFE THROUGH GRACE
Key Verse: “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ” (Verse 17 NIV).
Romans 5:12-21 leads us to another dimension of our study on grace. Its focus is how grace enables us to reign or to live in life through Christ Jesus. To reign in life simply means to rule and be in control.
Grace is always associated with Christ while the law came through Moses. Romans 5:12-21 is an analogy between Adam and Christ. Adam represents a type, while Christ represents another type. The acts of both men affected humanity. We came through Adam by birth, but we came through Christ by faith and grace. In Adam, by birth we inherited sin; in Christ by faith we are made righteous and justified.
Paul brings out three contrasts in his text. First, Adam’s act was an offense, a going astray from God, but Christ’s act was one of grace that brought man back to God (verse 15).
Second, Adam’s sin or act resulted in condemnation and death, but Christ’s deed of grace brought justification and life to man (verses 16, 17).
Third, Adam’s deed brought disobedience, while Christ’s deed led to obedience. Let us note that in verses 18 and 19 the words, ‘One man’ and ‘All men’ are often used to describe the effects of the acts of both men on humanity. Through Christ and the grace he has given to us, we have received justification, righteousness and obedience that enable us to reign in life over Satan and sin. This represents the abundance of grace
Through Adam sin reigned over us, death reigned over us, wickedness and hate reigned over us, fear reigned over us, we were separated from God. We lived in disobedience through Adam. But in Christ it is different.
Through the abundance of grace in Christ, we reign in righteousness.
Through the abundance of grace in Christ, we reign over sin.
Through the abundance of grace in Christ, we reign over death through the power of life. Through Christ, we reign in love. Through Christ, we reign in boldness and courage. Through Christ, we reign in the place of prayer.
Let us be mindful of this fact that the abundance of grace has brought to us the ability to reign in this life. That is, to live right in faith and authority.
PRAYER: Father, thank you that through the sacrifices of Jesus, I now can reign in life.
