Monday, July 18, 2011

Reign In Life

This week's message might be shocking and very challenging. For too long, Christians have had the wrong view of who we really are. I suggest you read the Book of Romans in its entirety. Today's thoughts come from the marvelous fifth chapter. The fifth chapter is only second to the eighth chapter of the same book in how it paints the picture of God's total gift of grace.

Let's start:

For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.

Paul begins this section with simple logic. Since "this" then "that". One broght many into sin and one brought many into righteousness.

The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgressionresulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free giftarose from many transgressions resulting in justification.

Judgment entered the world of mankind due to the single "transgression". From that single transgression the plague spread resulting in "many transgressions".

It is because of the "many transgressions" that were beyond any other remedy that God chose to give us a free gift: justification. Justification: made right!

The news is even more grandiose; hang on!

For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:15-17

The words "much more" are an understatement. Re-read that last sentence again.

Do you actually know any Christian who is "reigning in life"? What has happened?

We have been given the position but we have surrendered it because we choose to believe the lies of the enemy. Many of these lies are filtered through the current church! I would list a few of such teachings here but it is impossible to dissect the subtleties of the lies from the truth when a teacher uses scripture but pushes it out of the context of the whole message of grace!

Invest some time with God this week and begin by asking Him to show you what it means to "reign in life"!

When Christians return to their designed place the world will notice and the world will change! Don't expect that to happen; the message of grace has been diluted beyond recognition in most churches.

What is left, then?

What is left is for you personally to begin to reign! Time is short.

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