1223. In Adam Death Reigned–In Christ Life Reigned
In Adam Death Reigned–In Christ Life Reigned
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ" (Rom_5:17).
1. Sin. reigned unto death. There is a difference in "death passing on all men," and sin reigning unto death.
(1) Sin reigns. We have before us the inexorable regnancy of sin. Sin is a demagogue, sin is a tyrant, sin is a monarch.
Men are sin's subjects, sin's servants, sin's vassals.
Sin reigns, sin binds men; sin places men in bondage; sin drives men. Sin is a task-master, whip in hand; sin is a monster, overwhelming all who oppose him.
Sin reigns. No one dare lift up his head and hope for deliverance from its power. Sin holds its servants in a hopeless servitude.
Sin reigns. It carries everything before it, in its sway. No one stands free from its venomous assaults. No one can say, "I am free from sin; I have never sinned."
(2) Sin reigns unto death. Sin blights everything it touches. Sin spells decay, disease, death.
Sin is a dark cloud that hovers down over the whole world. It steals the light from the eye, the color from the cheek, the joy from the heart.
Sin is a storm that sweeps from us every pleasant thing. It destroys Eden, wrecks Paradise and turns the earth into a wilderness.
Sin ultimately hurls its devotees into the pit of the abyss, it drives its dupes into eternal night; is leaves its servants in hell.
"Which way shall I fly,
Infinite wrath, infinite despair,
Which way I fly is hell."
Such is the cry of those who sin.
2. "They * * shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ." Those who receive God's abundance of grace, and God's gift of righteousness, shall reign in life.
This passage of Scripture carries a deep significance. It is not the same as that passage which says: "If we suffer, we shall reign with Him." The reign in this latter quotation refers to the temporal Kingdom of Christ, and is more particularly a millennial promise. The former passage has a wider scope.
To reign in life, signifies a life where righteousness is all in all. The believer is transported out from the wreckage of the reign of sin unto death, and into the glory of the reign of righteousness unto life.
If sin brings death, God's grace and gift of righteousness brings life.
Life is the opposite of death.
Death is separation from God; life is fellowshiping God, knowing God.
Death is existence in the darkness of gloom forever; life is existence in the light of glory forever.
Death is summed up in the one word "depart ye cursed;" life is summed up in the one word, "enter into the joy of thy Lord."
Death reigns because it is an unbroken and an unbreakable condition enshrouding the lost; life reigns because it is an unbroken and unbreakable condition rejoicing the saved.
Death reigns when it holds in dominion the devotees of sin; life reigns when it holds in dominion the devotees of righteousness.
To reign in life, is to possess life; to live in the realms of life; to enjoy the fruitage of life; and to walk with the Author of life for evermore.
To reign in life, is to receive the gift of righteousness, God's righteousness, in such an abundant measure, that we shall overcome each temptation, sorrow, trial, disappointment and discouragement in the Spirit of Christ, and remain more than victors on the field.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR