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.

Introduction:

The subject of dominion is quintessential to the Christian life. It cannot be over-emphasized neither should it ever be overlooked on our journeys of destiny. In fact, failing to give sufficient attention to it may result in being dominated upon by situations one does not understand and may be unable to control.

Since the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the possibility of reigning alone eluded man once and for all time. And Satan has also enthroned himself as a big crafty monarch, so much so that no man can free himself from his diabolical rule. Hence, all those who wish to truly reign in life can only do so through Christ Jesus.

From Revelation 5:10, we clearly see that heaven has concluded that “we shall reign on the earth”. The position here, as in some other Scriptures, is that the dominion over the earth has been given to the saints (Genesis 2:28; Exodus 19:6; 2 Peter 1:3).

The word, "reign", in the context above, means that the believers in Christ are exalted to a glorious state of authority that we might be triumphant over all our enemies (Revelation 21:4; 22:5). It denotes a complete freedom from condemnation, and a bestowal of power over sin, sickness, poverty, fear and death.

We reign in life when we reign over all appearances of evil through the victory we have in Christ, wherein Satan is bruised under our feet in our daily encounters. No doubt, reigning in life though Christ provides the believers with certain heaven-on-earth experiences.

Of course, we shall eventually reign with Christ in His thousand-year reign in the new earth, where righteousness will be fully enthroned (Revelation 20:4). And by reason of this, we shall gain the ultimate victory, and partake in the splendors of Christ’s dominion above, where there shall be no more sorrow (Revelation 3:21; Luke 22:30). And, this is the sure estate of all the saints in glory (John 3:36). Alleluia!

Saved to Reign in Life

The settled fact to hold tight at this stage is that, indeed, we are “born-again” to reign again in life, and God has provided abundant grace to put this into effect in our daily experiences (Romans 5:17-18).

Adam transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and this attracted death to the entire human race. But, Jesus died to redeem us, and to restore unto us the lost platform of dominion, to reign in life!

Meanwhile, it is very important that we understand that the reign of saints on the earth is not only in a spiritual sense. Our reign practically covers all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Jesus Christ who called us unto His glory and virtue (2 Peter 1:3).

God expects that His people would gain so much ascendancy, and that the affairs of the nations would be in their hands (Revelation 1:6). Yes, He expects us to have roles in governance, fill places of trust and responsibility, and have controlling voices in the affairs of our societies (Daniel 7:27, Revelation 20:1-6). These are facts to keep, and very basic Bible truth we all must fully internalize!

Validating Your Reign in Christ Jesus

Please observe that nobody makes it big in this world without a very strong connection in the realm of the spirit to start with. This is because our world is a product of the spirit realm.

In addition, you must know that your present identity in life as well as the future status you desire to see are very closely associated with your thoughts and feelings, which are also intrinsic to what you hear, receive and believe.

In order, therefore, to validate our reign in Christ Jesus, it is basic that we fully embrace the gracious truth which defines and empowers it. This makes it imperative, therefore, to believe in Christ Jesus who died for our offenses, and freely offered us His gift of righteousness as a necessary qualification for reigning in life (John 1:12; Jn.13:20).

These above require very dynamic engagements of faith, but we cannot do otherwise because receiving it or not implies either reigning with Christ or being overruled by the mundane circumstances of life. Yes, salvation is the key to becoming enlisted among the approved operators in the realm of the spirit.

Jesus Christ is the One who carries the original signet of authority to dominate and rule this earth (Matthew 28:18). Hence, only He can initiate and establish the believers in the spirit realm of dominion and life (John 3:3).

Notwithstanding, receiving the truth and becoming initiated is just the beginning of the process of reigning in life. The truth must also be retained if we desire to truly reign in life. Moreover, reigning actively strikes the present continuous sense if we go on to daily engage the grace bestowed on us.

Those who receive, retain and engage the abundant grace offered by Jesus Christ are not only redeemed from the empire of death, but are also connected to the throne of God to reign with Him forever (Revelation 1:5-6; 2:7,10-11; 3:21).

Furthermore, in order to engage the grace of God to become successful in our active bid to reign with Christ, living daily as a “meditating Christian” is a practical approach to adopt in our lives.

Why meditation? The Bible posits that your life is shaped by your thoughts, and you would end up becoming what you habitually think of (Proverbs 4:23). Hence, God told Joshua to keep meditating on His Word if he would experience good success in his life and calling (Joshua 1:8).

Dear friends, please keep in mind that while freedom and might are implied in the figure of ‘reigning’, ‘Zoe life’ is the glorious atmosphere for it. God’s kind of life, ‘Zoe’, springs out of justification, in contrast with the death that springs from sin and condemnation.

This is life in its widest sense, and it fills the entire being for the entire duration of the believer’s human existence, and even beyond. This blissful eternal life springs in the human spirit, soul and body out of a loving relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, it is important to consider it that, apart from reigning here on earth, your destination hereafter matters much more. If you maintain a positive connection with God on earth, you will make it to heaven. But, the truth is: real hell for all eternity equally awaits those who reject the life of God, no matter how successful they appear to be here on earth. May God be merciful unto us all, in Jesus Name. Amen. Happy Sunday!

• Bishop Taiwo Akinola,

Rhema Christian Church,

Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

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