"...That as sin reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 5v21.
What a fitting climax to a wonderful exposition of the gospel! The reign of sin is over(notice the past tense) The tyrant SIN has been deposed, and now GRACE reigns. Sin is no longer the ruling monarch in the world, that which brought only misery and death has had the deathblow dealt to it. The new testament word to describe it's eventual demise is "destroyed" katargeo which is to render useless, to make of none effect. This same word is used in connection with death(1 Corinthians 15v26,); also the devil(Hebrews 2 v14); and the man of sin(2Thessalonians 2 v8). In Colossians 2v15 Paul says that on the cross Jesus "spoiled principalities and powers, and made a shew openly triumphing over them in it". This is the language of ultimate victory and so grace reigns!
We will look at this triumphant phrase in three ways and then investigate the true meaning of eternal life. These three aspects of the reign of grace are mentioned in later scriptures:
- The throne of grace HEBREWS 4 V16.
- The dispensation of grace EPHESIANS 3 V2.
- Manifold grace I PETER 4 V10.
Firstly, what is a throne? It is a centre of absolute power, in the biblical concept. It is a seat to which all subjects pay homage, and from which all directions flow. It is the nucleus and circumference of all that exists, since it is the throne of the Creator. On that throne sits grace personified in the person of Jesus Christ. The writer to the Hebrews pens"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need". This throne controls all issues concerning the natural world, the fate of empires, the changes of governments, the life span of human beings, the bounds of habitation, and all events of time: yet humble believers are invited to come directly and boldly(not brashly) to the throne of grace in time of need. You may think God would have too much to do to be involved in the personal issues of individuals, but not so. He loves His people to approach Him.
When believers pray, they are speaking to the greatest power in existence, they are speaking to One who loves them, to One who died for them, and who has opened all of heaven's resources to them. He wants them to come reverently , but with confidence to state their needs. Later the same writer will say "Having therefore brethren boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He has consecrated for us through the vail that is to say His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10 v19-22.
This means that world power now rests with Christ and the church, at present invisible, but certain and visible in the future. The One who once died on the cross is now seated at the right hand ( the place of power) of the MAJESTY IN THE HEAVENS. Paul says later "He must reign until His enemies are under His feet".
He ascended on high, He passed through the heavens, He is made higher than the heavens, entered once for all into the holy place, He is sat down on the right hand of God, far above every principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named........and has put all things under His feet. That is what is meant by grace reigning, universal power in the hands of the Saviour of Calvary.
Next we shall see the principle by which grace reigns.
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