GRACE REIGNS THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS AND LIFE IN CHRIST

MONDAY 07 FEBRUARY 2022

In Christ Jesus, we are totally dead to sin and fully alive to God because Christ was delivered over to undeserved death just for our sins and was raised back to life for our justification. Did you know that Christ's death wasn't enough? He didn't just have to pay for our sins. His death had to be followed by His resurrection, otherwise nobody would be justified. Yes, this is the absolute truth because justification is the action of approving, declaring and making righteous in the sight of God and it leads to eternal life in Christ. Since the end result is to beat spiritual death generated by sin, Christ had to be raised back to life.

Reference: Romans 5:21 Good News Translation (GNT) "So then, just as sin ruled by means of death, so also God's grace rules by means of righteousness, leading us to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Death reigned from Adam because of sin and it spread to all men from one generation to another, just because of the same man, Adam. Since one man's trespass led to condemnation for all men, another man's act of obedience and righteousness now leads to justification and life for all men. As a result, very many who come to Christ are made righteous. This also implies that if Christ did not come and was not raised to life, sin would continue to reign and nobody would have any guarantee that their sins have been remitted.

On the other hand, righteousness and life in Christ are a precious commodity and are quite powerful because they are the strength of grace. So what is "Grace"? Grace is the divine system of monarchy that makes us principalities in Christ. This system effectively reigns through righteousness and life. It is also the crown that empowers or ordains us to reign in life through righteousness, thereby leading to eternal life in Jesus Christ. The Bible confirmed this in Romans 5:17 (GNT). It reads, "It is true that through the sin of one man death began to rule because of that one man. But how much greater is the result of what was done by the one man, Jesus Christ! All who receive God's abundant grace and are freely put right with him will rule in life through Christ."

Both sin and grace are two systems of rule, depending on where we are subscribed to. Our referenced Scripture noted that sin rules by means of death, but God's grace rules by means of righteousness, leading us to eternal life through Jesus Christ. No wonder Romans 6:23 (AMPC) says, "For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord." Now, if someone reading this is wondering how to subscribe to the system of rule, known as grace, here is exactly what to do: Accept Jesus as Lord and declare His Lordship over your life, which is the greatest impulse to faith in the atoning efficacy of His death on the cross. By this action, you'll be justified and made right with God through Christ and subscribe to the reign of grace instantly.

Now this is even more important: When you become a born again Christian, understand that you are no longer under the system of rule, known as "sin" and so what is required of you is to build this consciousness intentionally. In fact, let this awareness be subjective or personal to you because Romans 6:14 reads, "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace" (KJV). Here, apostle Paul is emphasizing, as well as, reminding the already saved brethren of their system of rule, which is grace. He is simply acknowledging that, "Grace is our monarchy which demonstrates God's special gift; a saving revelation and dominion which is unco rich and ultimately available in Christ Himself; hence you are no longer under the mosaic law, a medium through which sin reigns."

So as Christians, how do we become divine principalities and reign in life? The answer is found in John 1:16-17 (ESV): "For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." As we position ourselves to accumulate or pile up grace upon grace, we are conditioned to rule in life through Christ. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24; Romans 5:15; Ephesians 1:6-7; Titus 2:11; Ephesians 2:8-9.

Guided Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, I love you because your grace flows in abundant measure in Christ Jesus. There is no end to your goodness and mercy in my life because I abide in Christ. Through the endless reservoir of your grace, you enrich my life and empower me to graciously reign in life by the dominion of your Spirit and I'm greatly humbled by your countless ways of pouring out king-sized blessings on me. Therefore, I thank you for your grace revealed in Christ which brings salvation and inexhaustible blessings to all people in Jesus' Name, Amen!