Reigning in Life
by Paul Watson
The apostle Paul is contrasting the difference here between Adam’s sin opening the way for death to reign, and the action of Jesus Christ, which brings life.
Those who have put their trust in Jesus have moved from the place where death once reigned, to the place where they now reign in life. In Christ, we reign in life. How does this work out? Even in trials, troubles, failures, sickness, disappointments, sorrows, tragedies, and physical death – we reign because of Jesus Christ!
Perhaps you feel that the circumstances of your life don’t give a lot of physical evidence that you’re reigning as a king. Or it could be that you aren’t, currently, facing major difficulties. Maybe life is ticking along okay. But it still doesn’t feel like you’re ‘reigning’.
The life that Paul is speaking of is more than a span of years, months, weeks and days. It refers to the deeper, spiritual reality of our eternal existence. Through sin, death was allowed to reign - bringing about spiritual death - separation from God for eternity. But through the death and resurrection of Jesus, eternal life is available to all who receive Him. The hidden reality, taken hold of by faith, is that we have a new life in which we do indeed reign. Nothing can take this from us.
Knowing this enables us to live our earthly life with a different perspective. I know a family who are currently living through the very painful reality of a loved one’s battle against incurable cancer. This family knows the trials of our earthly existence, but also, in the very face of death, they are reigning in life.
What about you?
Prayer: Father God, thank you for Your abundant grace and the gift of righteousness! Thank You for Jesus Christ. I choose today to reign in life. Amen.
Paul Watson At the end of 2020, Paul stepped down from his role as Centre Director of Ellel Pierrepont in the UK, and with his wife Diane, returned to live in Western Australia. They are enjoying having a break and spending time with their family. Paul and Diane are still on the Board of Ellel Ministries Australia.
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