For if by one man’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.
Romans 5:17 KJV
Adam disobeyed in the Garden of Eden, bringing death into the world, but Jesus Christ calls us to reign in life through Him. This concept explained in Romans 5:17, emphasises that although death once ruled through Adam’s sin, however, through Jesus, we receive grace and the gift of righteousness and the power to reign in life. This means that as believers, we can overcome sin, fear, and worldly desires and experience victory, peace, and power. The question we must ask ourselves is: are we truly living in this victory and reigning in life through Christ?
Unlike the consequence of Adam’s sin, the gift of God’s grace through Jesus is far greater. This grace is abundant, overflowing, and sufficient to cover all sins. The “gift of righteousness” means that God makes us right with Him. We don’t achieve this through our own efforts or works; instead, we receive it as a gift by faith in Jesus. Jesus not only saves us from the reign of death but also empowers us to reign in life.
To reign in life means to have victory over sin, self, and worldly desires. Just as death reigned because of Adam, life now reigns because of Jesus. The question remains: Are you truly reigning in life? Are you experiencing victory over sin and living as a king and priest in the world, as God intended?
The Bible emphasises that those who receive the abundance of grace will reign in life. Grace is not merely God’s unmerited favour; it is His divine empowerment that transforms us from within. It is through this abundant grace that God equips us to walk in our true identity as children of God.
Furthermore, Christ intends for us to live in victory, not in defeat or under the burden of life’s challenges. He calls us to reign, walking in peace, power, and victory in every area of life. Grace is not something we earn but something freely given by God. Ephesians 2:8 (KJV) reminds us, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” The grace that saves us is the same grace that empowers us to reign in life. It is abundant, overflowing, and available to all who believe in Christ.
So, when Paul speaks of reigning in life, he is not just referring to eternal life after death. He is talking about a present reality—a life of victory, power, and authority here and now. Jesus Himself said in John 10:10 (KJV), “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” He offers this abundant life for today, not just for the future.
To reign in life means walking in the authority Jesus has given us. It means overcoming sin, fear, and the forces of darkness through the power of the Holy Spirit. God calls believers to live as kings and priests in His kingdom (Revelation 1:6), actively influencing the world around them for Christ.
In conclusion, now is the time to fully embrace our identity in Christ and reign in life as God intended. Jesus gives us an abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, enabling us to walk in victory, power, and authority. We no longer live under the shadow of Adam’s failure but in the light of Christ’s triumph.
By understanding who we are in Christ, receiving His grace, and walking in righteousness, we can reign in life—not just in eternity, but here and now. This is our calling, our inheritance, and the reality of the new life we have in Jesus.
