Posted by “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” – Romans 5:17 (NIV)
The word “Righteousness” is a legal term meaning to possess “right standing” with God. I have had such difficulty over the years with righteousness being freely given to me by God. I accepted that fact that Jesus Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, and is the risen King and redeemer of all humanity back in 1978.
So, what was my difficulty? Self-righteousness I guess! Believeing we are brought into right relationship with God through a simple faith without any of our good behavior added to it was easy in theory, my struggle was believing it in the face of all my failures to “do the right thing!”
It seemed accepting righteousness (right standing with God) being freely accredited to me based soley on Jesus’ perfect righteousness isn’t enough. I continued to work hard to please God only to experience the truth I was slow to accept, it’s impossible on my own!
Foregiven and Freely Restored
God designed you and I to partner with him in managing earth’s resources, we’re born to reign in life! Following Adam and Eve’s failure (sin) in Eden, humanity lost that intimacy with God and the authority to reign in life with it. Christ restored it all by living that perfect lifestyle of cooperation with God “in our place,” and accepting the penilty for it “in our place.”
Called to Reign in Life
Once my mind was opened to God’s restoring that call to live and reign in life with Him as a gift. I saw what makes grace so amazing and how infinitely good God is! Having no claim to exonerate myself, I understood that I was “dead in the water” without God’s provision.
I’m more than forty years into my walk with God and still I stand amazed that all His blessings that have followed me all these years (Protection, guidance, family, leadership, influence, gifts and talents in ministry and business) have all come as a free gift experienced as a result of all Christ has already done for me.
A Simple Faith
Since that awakening some years ago, I’ve learned how to freely Live, Love, Laugh, and Lead through a simple faith (which is also a gift) that God is as good as he says he is. I can tell you from experience Paul the apostle is correct, it has been by grace through faith alone that I have enjoyed receiving God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of Christ’s righteousness,
I now reign in life (freely) through that one man, Jesus Christ!” You can too! …it’s just a thought!
* Featured image by JSPJOURNAL.COM
© 2022 JSPJOURNAL.COM
You must log in to post a comment.