By Jannie Linney
“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover, the law entered that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” [Rom. 5:19-21].
Much could be said about this whole passage, but there are just a few things I’ll say today for lack of space. Let’s start with the word; “Reign” The rule of a King, To rule as sovereign, To prevail. I believe reigning shows full charge of a matter. We see here that sin reigns in death; “The wages of sin is death” [Rom. 6:23]. Wages are earned, deserved! Sin ultimately brings death.
In Genesis, God told Adam “if you eat the fruit of “This Tree” you will surely die. Their body did not die instantly, but their spirit did. That is why every person after Adam must be born again, so they can be birthed into the spirit Kingdom. Flesh births flesh and spirit births spirit. No one can earn eternal life. No one can be good enough to go to Heaven. Not one person can do enough good works to pay their way into the Kingdom of God. No organization can get a person to heaven. It is appointed to man once to die and then the Judgment! So there is no other opportunity to make it right. No amount of money or prayer can change things once a person dies. Ask the Rich man in the Bible.
“For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God” [Eph. 2:8]. Only by Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Look at the passage again: “Even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” [V.21]. In the kingdom of God, grace [it says might] that grace “might” reign through righteousness. Might depends on, if we choose to let His grace reign in our personal life.
Through, To, Through: We see it’s Through Righteousness, To eternal Life, Through Jesus Christ our Lord; Because Grace is doing the reigning here, we see it reigns through righteousness and our righteousness is as filthy rags [Is. 64:6]. We receive the righteousness Jesus paid for on the cross. Glory! By Grace we go through righteousness, to that eternal life, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Who said “I am the way, the truth, and the life: No man comes to the Father, but by me” [John 14:6]. One Way “Jesus” This is why the world hates Christianity, they want to write their own way to heaven. The Bible is the Word of God, His instructions to us; His word is truth. When we go through something we are surrounded with it. So moved by grace we are surrounded by righteousness as we move into eternal life surrounded by Jesus Christ. This is His instructions. “By one man’s obedience many will be made righteousness.”
You may have slipped from the relationship you once had with our Lord and Savior, or maybe you have never really had a personal relationship with Him. He said “My sheep hear My voice” He said if we will not confess Him before man, He will not confess us before the Father in Heaven. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” [Rom. 8:16]. Do you have that witness, are you secure in Him, knowing if you were to die tonight, you would be instantly with Him? If not, just say “Jesus, I believe you came into this world by way of a virgin that you suffered for me, forgive me of all the sins I’ve ever committed, please come into my heart and be the Lord of my life.” If you believe, you will receive Him and if you really receive Him, your life will change and you will “want” to be with other Christians and read the word and pray. Seek Him for yourself, there is “No Other Way.”
