Romans 5:12-17 (NKJV)
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned--
13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.
16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.
17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)
Sin and death entered the world through Adam when he sinned by disobeying God. Adam was born in a perfect environment with all the freedoms a person would want, yet he was not satisfied with all that. He and Eve disobeyed God and thereby brought all the bad things we see today into existence. We are all like our father Adam. His nature is in us so we are all sinners by nature. You may say that is not fair, but the same way, by one Jesus Christs' obedience righteousness came to all who would believe in Him. When Jesus came to earth and lived a perfect life, died on the cross and was resurrected, He brought the gift of the grace of God to us all who believe in Him. Just as Adam's one offence brought condemnation, Jesus one act brought righteousness which resulted in our justification. We have been given a home in Heaven. Every since Adam's sin, we all die because we are all sinners as he was. But by His perfect life and the offering of His body for us on the cross, we all who believe He died as payment for our sins receive abundance of grace. We no longer are condemned in God's eyes but instead we receive an overflowing abundance of His grace. Grace means the unmerited favor of God. We have also received the gift of righteousness. By Jesus' one act on the cross, we have been made righteous in God's eyes. As you look at that verse 17, righteousness was a gift purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ. Do you know what that means? Righteousness or being in right standing with God is a gift that God Himself gives us when we believe in His Son Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. We will have that right standing through all eternity. Praise be to God the Father and our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ! There are millions of people who are still trying to please God by their own works by keeping certain laws and doing certain things that they think will please God. But the bible plainly says in Romans 3:19-20 (NKJV)
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
The righteousness of God is a gift given to those who believe in God's Son. Romans 5:17 also says that we are to reign in this life by His gift of righteousness. Reign means royal rule or authority; sovereignty, dominating power or influence. This is the standing that all Christians have in this life. This is God's will for us His children. We are not to go around beat down, worried, fearful, and the like. God has given us through Christ the authority over satan and his demons. We are to exercise that authority Christ has given us. Let's begin with God's help to live like His children. Stop being beat down when that is not God's will for Christians. We must read God's word each day to learn what we have been given. We must pray asking for God to fill us with His Spirit each day. Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV)
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, The choice is ours. We can go on being defeated on every hand or we can begin to reign as God intends for us to do. I choose to live like God's child with all the authority He has given me. I pray you too will decide to do the same.
INVITATION: You will always be defeated by the devil if you don't know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord. To make Jesus your Savior, you must repent and turn from your sinful way of life and ask Jesus to forgive you. Then invite Jesus into your life to take charge of you. If you do, you will be saved from Hell and your life will begin to change. He will give you the gift of God's grace and righteousness. Don't go another day without Jesus in your life. Because with Him you will be able to rule and reign in life through Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment