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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. (Romans 5:17)
Man's problems began all the way back at the Garden with the one who is his federal head, Adam who fell into sin and rebellion and passed it down through all his posterity. But we have a remedy to that situation and that is the grace of God which gives us a relationship with Jesus Christ.
As we see in the above verse, all of humanity begins life ruled by death. “By the one man's offense death reigned through the one.” However, once people become saved and have their new life with Jesus, they can learn to reign in life by the “much more” grace of God.
Notice again that God's remedy for those under the reign of death is two-fold: “those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life.”
The only way a holy and righteous God can accept anyone is for him to receive the gift of righteousness. It's when this gift is received that the Christian becomes justified by faith in the Lord. Yet, having this wonderful gift of imputed righteousness does not automatically bring spiritual victory to the lives of God's saints.
Many Christians do not naturally live by receiving God's grace. Many attempt to live a victorious life by using their own human resources. They attempt to achieve victory by pleasing God through their own works and best efforts. This always proves inadequate and falls short because victory must be received from the Lord. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Give and receive is the language of Grace (which depends upon the work of God). Earn and achieve is the language of law (which depends upon the work of man).
Jesus, the God of glory and filled with grace came to man's rescue. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” - John 1:14.
Now, if you have been forgiven through grace, you can now live a victorious life in humble dependence upon the “abundance of God's grace.” This is available to all Christians through our new relationship with the Lord. “Much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17
Prayer
Father God, I see that Your grace is the resource for living as a Christlike overcomer, reigning in life. Lord, I humble myself before You, admitting my need for Your grace. I reach out to You in faith, praising You that there is abundance of grace available for such victorious living!
Rob Moritz
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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