Through One Man, Life Reigns
A key turning a lock, a simple picture of life reigning through the One who opens the way.
Devotional Credit: Immeasurably More by Ray Stedman
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Romans 5:17 says that through the trespass of one man death reigned, and through the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness we reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Ray Stedman helps us see that Paul is not only talking about a funeral at the end of life. He is talking about the way death tries to sit on the heart right now, in boredom, emptiness, and restlessness.
Stedman points to a better center. In Adam we feel the drag. In Jesus we receive a new supply. Grace keeps coming, again and again, and the gift of righteousness does not expire. The result is not denial of hardship. It is life in the middle of it. Joy, steadiness, and honest love begin to show up even when pressures do not change.
I find that clarifying. I do not need to wait for a perfect week to enjoy Jesus. I get to receive His life right in the swirl. That is what reign in life looks like, not control over people, but freedom from the old currents that used to rule me.
Thank You, Ray, for reminding us that what was lost in Adam is more than answered in Jesus. The avalanche of sin has met an avalanche of grace. The One who broke through now lives in us, and His presence makes ordinary days bright with hope.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
I draw your eyes to My Son. I give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowing of Him. In Adam death tried to reign, but in Jesus you receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, and you reign in life through Him. I make you alive together with Christ. I set you into His victory.
I unite you with the Lord, and I live in you. The old person was crucified with Him. You walk in newness of life. Set your mind on things above where Christ is seated. You are complete in Him. From His fullness you receive grace upon grace. I strengthen you with power in the inner person so that Jesus dwells in your heart by faith, and you are rooted and grounded in love.
I lead you to abide. Apart from Him you can do nothing. In Him you bear fruit that remains. My law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus sets you free from the law of sin and death. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead gives life to your mortal body. I am your Helper. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith.
Walk by Me today. Present yourself to God. Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. I pour the love of God into you. Your boast is in the Lord. Your life is hidden with Christ in God, and when He appears, you also will appear with Him in glory.
Scripture references: Ephesians 1:17, Romans 5:17, Ephesians 2:5 to 6, 1 Corinthians 6:17, Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:6 to 11, Romans 6:4, Colossians 3:1 to 4, Colossians 2:9 to 10, John 1:16, Ephesians 3:16 to 19, John 15:4 to 5, Romans 8:2, Romans 8:10 to 11, John 14:16, Hebrews 12:2, Romans 12:1, Colossians 3:15, Romans 5:5, 1 Corinthians 1:31.
Real-Life Analogy
Think of a door with a good deadbolt. You can push and push, but the door does not move until the right key turns the lock. Life in Adam is all pushing. Life in Jesus is the key turning from the inside. The Holy Spirit unlocks the grip of fear and frustration, and the door swings open into a room filled with light and fresh air.
Put it to work today. Before you reply to a tense email, pause for five seconds. Tell Him, Lord, I trust You to turn the key in this moment and express Your patience and clarity through me. Then write from a settled heart, expecting His life to show up in your tone and your choices.
Prayer of Confidence
Father, thank You for the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness in Your Son. Thank You that in Jesus I do not live under the old rule of death. I receive Your life today, right in the middle of my tasks and pressures. I am grateful that Your Spirit lives in me, that I am complete in Christ, and that Your peace rules my heart. Lord, I trust You to express Your life through me in every conversation and decision.