Reigning in Life: Embracing God's Kingdom Today
Summary
In Romans 5:17, Paul speaks of the reign of death through Adam's transgression and contrasts it with the reign in life through Jesus Christ. This passage invites us to reflect on what it means to live fully in the kingdom of God today. The concept of reigning in life is about governing for good under God's guidance. This is the call for every human being—to be the salt and light of the world by governing for good through Jesus Christ. The kingdom of God is not just about government; it is the range of God's effective will, where what God desires is accomplished.
Human beings, by their nature, are meant to reign under God. This is our true calling and what we are made for. However, we often find ourselves in a condition where we do not want to do what is bad, yet we find it necessary. This struggle is evident in the world around us, where human attempts to run their kingdoms result in death. Jesus came to abolish death and bring life and immortality to light through the gospel, as stated in 2 Timothy 1:10.
For those who find their place under God, there is a profound relief in knowing they never have to do anything wrong. This freedom comes from living under God's reign, where we are empowered to govern for good and live in alignment with His will. The challenge is to resist the temptation to justify wrongdoing with excuses like "business is business" and instead embrace the life-giving reign of Christ.
Key Takeaways
- Reigning in life through Jesus Christ means governing for good under God's guidance. It is a call to be the salt and light of the world, reflecting God's will in our actions and decisions. This reign is not about power but about aligning with God's purpose and bringing His kingdom to earth. [01:32]
- The kingdom of God is the range of God's effective will, where His desires are fulfilled. It is not limited to a governmental concept but encompasses all areas where God's will is done. Living in this kingdom requires us to submit to God's authority and seek His guidance in all aspects of life. [02:28]
- Human beings are created to reign under God, but the struggle with sin often leads us to do what we know is wrong. This internal conflict is a result of trying to run our kingdoms without God's help, leading to spiritual death. Jesus offers a way out by abolishing death and bringing life through the gospel. [03:25]
- Finding our place under God brings the relief of knowing we never have to do anything wrong. This freedom comes from living in alignment with God's will, where we are empowered to make righteous choices without the pressure to conform to worldly standards. [05:14]
- The temptation to justify wrongdoing with excuses like "business is business" is a common human experience. However, living under God's reign means rejecting these justifications and embracing the life-giving power of Christ's reign, which enables us to live righteously. [05:31]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:21] - Introduction to Romans 5:17
[00:38] - Living Fully in God's Kingdom
[00:54] - The Reign of Death
[01:15] - Abundance of Grace and Righteousness
[01:32] - Reigning in Life by Christ
[01:50] - Governing for Good
[02:03] - Understanding the Kingdom of God
[02:28] - The Range of God's Effective Will
[03:04] - Human Beings Meant to Reign
[03:25] - The Struggle with Sin
[03:40] - Desire to Be Good
[03:54] - The Necessity of Wrongdoing
[04:12] - The Help We Need
[04:27] - Jesus Abolishing Death
[04:59] - Life and Immortality Through the Gospel
[05:14] - Relief in Righteous Living
[05:31] - Rejecting Justifications for Wrongdoing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 5:17
- 2 Timothy 1:10
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 5:17, what is the contrast between the reign of death and the reign in life? How does this relate to Adam and Jesus? [00:21]
2. What does the sermon suggest is the meaning of "reigning in life" through Jesus Christ? [01:32]
3. How does the sermon describe the kingdom of God and its relation to God's effective will? [02:28]
4. What struggle with sin is highlighted in the sermon, and how does it relate to human attempts to govern without God? [03:25]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of reigning in life through Jesus Christ challenge the traditional understanding of power and authority? [01:32]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that living under God's reign provides freedom from wrongdoing? [05:14]
3. How does the sermon interpret the role of Jesus in abolishing death and bringing life and immortality to light? [04:59]
4. What does the sermon imply about the human tendency to justify wrongdoing with phrases like "business is business"? [05:31]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel you are trying to govern without God's guidance? How can you invite God into those areas this week? [03:25]
2. The sermon speaks about the relief of not having to do anything wrong when living under God's reign. Can you identify a situation where you felt pressured to compromise your values? How might you handle it differently now? [05:14]
3. Consider the idea of being the salt and light of the world. What specific actions can you take this week to reflect God's will in your community? [01:50]
4. The sermon challenges us to reject justifications for wrongdoing. Is there a common excuse you find yourself using to justify certain actions? How can you address this tendency? [05:31]
5. How can you practically seek God's guidance in your daily decisions to align more closely with His kingdom? [02:28]
6. Think about a time when you felt the struggle between wanting to do good and feeling it necessary to do wrong. What steps can you take to overcome this struggle with God's help? [03:54]
7. How can the message of Jesus abolishing death and bringing life through the gospel inspire you to live more fully in alignment with God's will? [04:59]
Devotional
Day 1: Governing for Good Under God's Guidance
Reigning in life through Jesus Christ is about governing for good under God's guidance. This concept calls believers to be the salt and light of the world, reflecting God's will in their actions and decisions. It is not about seeking power but aligning with God's purpose and bringing His kingdom to earth. This reign is characterized by a commitment to righteousness and justice, where one's actions are guided by divine wisdom and love. By living in this way, believers can influence the world positively, demonstrating the transformative power of God's kingdom. [01:32]
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific ways can you govern for good in your daily interactions and decisions today, reflecting God's will and purpose?
Day 2: The Range of God's Effective Will
The kingdom of God is the range of God's effective will, where His desires are fulfilled. It is not limited to a governmental concept but encompasses all areas where God's will is done. Living in this kingdom requires submission to God's authority and seeking His guidance in all aspects of life. This means allowing God's will to permeate every decision, relationship, and action, ensuring that His desires are accomplished in and through us. By doing so, believers can experience the fullness of life that comes from living under God's reign, where peace, joy, and righteousness abound. [02:28]
"Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10, ESV)
Reflection: What area of your life have you not fully submitted to God's will, and how can you begin to seek His guidance in that area today?
Day 3: Created to Reign Under God
Human beings are created to reign under God, but the struggle with sin often leads us to do what we know is wrong. This internal conflict arises from trying to run our kingdoms without God's help, leading to spiritual death. Jesus offers a way out by abolishing death and bringing life through the gospel. By accepting His reign, believers can overcome the power of sin and live in the freedom of righteousness. This involves recognizing our dependence on God and allowing His Spirit to guide us in making choices that align with His will. [03:25]
"For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area where you struggle with sin, and how can you invite Jesus to help you reign over it with His grace and power?
Day 4: Relief in Righteous Living
Finding our place under God brings the relief of knowing we never have to do anything wrong. This freedom comes from living in alignment with God's will, where we are empowered to make righteous choices without the pressure to conform to worldly standards. By embracing this way of life, believers can experience the peace and joy that come from knowing they are living in accordance with God's desires. This involves a conscious decision to reject the temptations and justifications for wrongdoing, choosing instead to live in the light of Christ's righteousness. [05:14]
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: What worldly standards are you tempted to conform to, and how can you choose to live in alignment with God's will instead?
Day 5: Rejecting Justifications for Wrongdoing
The temptation to justify wrongdoing with excuses like "business is business" is a common human experience. However, living under God's reign means rejecting these justifications and embracing the life-giving power of Christ's reign, which enables us to live righteously. This involves a commitment to integrity and honesty, even when it is challenging or inconvenient. By choosing to live in this way, believers can demonstrate the transformative power of God's kingdom and inspire others to do the same. [05:31]
"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out." (Proverbs 10:9, ESV)
Reflection: What justification for wrongdoing do you find yourself using, and how can you commit to living with integrity and honesty today?
Quotes
"If by the transgression of the one that was Adam, death reigned through the one, and that's the condition of humanity as you see it about you today, it's the reign of death, much more, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and are the gift of righteousness will reign in life by one Jesus Christ." [00:49:31]
"Reigning in life by Christ Jesus, and I'd like you to just think a moment about what that word reign means. Reign means to govern for good under God. That is the call of every human being in their time and place to be the salt and light of the world where they stand by governing for good through Jesus Christ." [01:33:50]
"The kingdom of God is simply the range of God's effective will. It's where what God once done is done, and we know through sad experience that that cannot be done by human beings acting on their own. Human beings are meant to reign under God, that's what we're called to do, that's what we're made to do." [02:58:48]
"Now the human condition is one where we don't want to do what is bad, but we find it necessary. See a little girl in Sunday schools ask what is a lie and she said it is an abomination to God and a very present help in time of trouble, and if we're going to run our kingdom, we're going to need a little help." [03:54:04]
"Jesus came to abolish death, and he abolished his death by bringing what life is really about to light the wonderful verse in II Timothy 1:10. Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. One of the great reliefs of the person who has found their place under God is they never have to do anything wrong." [04:44:56]
"Reign, that word is the word that we often use when we're trying to explain kingdom, the kingdom of God. What is the kingdom of God? It's an old-fashioned word Americans tend not to like it very much because they've had a history of problems with kingdoms, as you know, and so we need to understand that it's not tied just to that one idea of government." [02:15:40]
"Human beings are meant to reign under God, that's what we're called to do, that's what we're made to do. We'll be expanding on that a little bit, but that's what every human being really wants is to be able to reign for good. I lecture often on ethics in secular and other contexts and very often I will ask the groups, anyone here who would like to be a bad person." [03:18:19]
"Reign means to govern for good under God. That is the call of every human being in their time and place to be the salt and light of the world where they stand by governing for good through Jesus Christ. Reign, that word is the word that we often use when we're trying to explain kingdom, the kingdom of God." [01:47:47]
"Human beings have tried to run their kingdom and the outcome is death, and we see it worldwide and we know that Jesus came to abolish death, and he abolished his death by bringing what life is really about to light the wonderful verse in II Timothy 1:10. Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." [04:41:36]
"One of the great reliefs of the person who has found their place under God is they never have to do anything wrong, never they never have to do anything wrong, and you know how people tend to say well I must I don't know if you have ever heard that saying someone saying well business is business." [05:14:36]
"The kingdom of God is simply the range of God's effective will. It's where what God once done is done, and we know through sad experience that that cannot be done by human beings acting on their own. Human beings are meant to reign under God, that's what we're called to do, that's what we're made to do." [02:58:48]
"Reigning in life by Christ Jesus, and I'd like you to just think a moment about what that word reign means. Reign means to govern for good under God. That is the call of every human being in their time and place to be the salt and light of the world where they stand by governing for good through Jesus Christ." [01:33:50]
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