Friday, September 28, 2012

Reign?

REIGN?

Part 7 of 7 in Work of Honor devotional seriesg

Romans 5:17, 21

“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....so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Emphasis mine.

Reign [RAIN means to govern, to rule with power]. Me reign, really? It’s as if Jesus were saying, Yes, I mean for you to reign with Me. Our job, partner, is to break into the earth’s darkness with My light.

Believers-in-Christ have the privilege to break through earth’s darkness with the light of Christ. Jesus says so. He says we may—with His power and gentle Spirit—advance His light into the world. The opening Scripture is prophecy [prof-i-SEE means prediction]. The verb reign is present tense. Right now. Jesus’ obedient sacrifice on the cross defuses, counterbalances, or offsets sin’s limits. Believers may change human circumstances and actions because Jesus defeated sin and death at the cross.

Jesus, as Lord of Life, and King of Glory, invites us to reign in life. As Jesus’ partners, we cannot change the future. But we’re called—in His authority, and with His permission—to impact people and situations here on earth. Jesus gives us the right to make God’s rule happen, (as we’re “co-heirs with Christ” from Romans 8:17).

Our privilege right now is to bring Jesus’ Kingdom power into every situation for which we pray. (This includes bringing all God’s promises into play!) “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32). Kingdom’s doorway opens to those who yield themselves to God’s will. We come humbly, never proud or arrogant. We come with honesty, never hiding evil intent. We speak kindly to others, in love.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says whoever’s “in Christ is a new creation.” We’re “born again” into God’s royal bloodline, to reign alongside brother Jesus! (See Born Again devotion, June 22, 2012). Those who’re serious about this Work of Honor devotional series choose to live as one of Jesus’ flock—reigning through prayer. Are you one whom Jesus invites to “reign in life” today? Jesus says, “Don’t fear. Take the Kingdom keys and use them!”

Take Home Nugget

Cassie led her fifth-grade classmates in prayer one recess, for Missy to keep her home (Kingdom Warriors devotion). Today, Missy passed out cookies to the class. “Daddy refinanced our house. We get to stay!” she announced, all smiles.

Speak kindly in love. Never proud, or with evil intent.

gJack Hayford with Rebecca Hayford Bauer, Penetrating the Darkness (Chosen, Michigan: a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2011), 26-28.

J.D. Griffith


 
A personal, private lesson experience with our staff


Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)