Discipleship 101: “Reigning in Life”
The more I study the Redemptive Gifts, the more I realize that God truly has given us everything we need to live a life of godliness and holiness (2 Peter 1:3). It’s obvious that God has not called us to a life of defeat, poverty, or failure. He has called us to be the head and not the tail. Whether you own a business, are a student, an employee or a homemaker, God has called you to “reign in life.” Whatever the position may be, you are destined to reign in life because…Jesus is Lord of your life! When you reign in life, you will reign over sin, over the powers of darkness and those things that are both great and small. However; the power to reign does not depend on your family background, educational qualifications, how you look, or how much money you have in your bank account. The power to reign in life comes from the person of Jesus Christ. The statement below is not some cliché from a self-help book on positive thinking but is based on a promise from Abba Father that has been recorded for all eternity in God’s word.
Look at the following scripture “For if by 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 (NASB). The word “reign” used here is taken from the Greek word basileuo, which refers to a kingly, judicial rule—to reign in life as a king, having kingly rule and dominion. The Bible tells us we are to reign in life through Jesus Christ by receiving two things from Him: the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. Why is it that we wrongly think that for God to bless us we need to deserve, earn, or work for His favor by our own self efforts? Beloved, this is not God’s way! He promised that when we receive the abundance of grace and righteousness, we will then surely reign in life. There is nothing that you or I could ever do to deserve His blessings, because it is based entirely on receiving Jesus and the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness through the finished work of the cross.
It is heartbreaking that so many believers today feel that they have been disqualified because of their past mistakes or that they don’t even deserve to reign in life. But, I want you to know that you have not been disqualified and there is nothing you can do to earn God’s love, grace, or favor in your life except to simply believe it and receive it! God loves you, has forgiven you, and wants desperately for you to rest in Him. You are set apart for His pleasure; destined to walk in dominion, power, and authority…or simply REIGN! I’m so thankful to God for each of you and I’m absolutely convinced that God is bringing us, as a church family, into a new season of reigning in both our personal and corporate lives as believers here at CSBC.
Your prayers and support as your pastors help us share the gospel of grace in an ever expanding way and without you and your own personal ministry, the work of the Kingdom could not go forth. Our hearts for you are that you will not only reign in this life but also the life to come!
In His Grip!
Bill<><