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.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (Romans 5:17-19)
The one man mentioned in Romans 5:17 refers to Adam. Adam’s disobedience to God caused sin to enter the world, bringing with it the reign of death. Sin then became a universal condition, and all those who would be born after Adam were born into a life full of death and destruction. However, the power of this verse lies in the two-word phrase Paul used in the text: much more. Yes, death reigned because of Adam’s sin, but no matter how strong death was, those who receive God’s abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life much more through Christ!
Jesus’ sacrifice reversed the curse that Adam’s sin brought. Those who have accepted Jesus are no longer under the dominion of sin and death but are empowered to reign in life as righteous kings and priests of the Kingdom of God.
You are not waiting to become righteous; you are righteous the moment you receive Jesus as your Lord. When you accepted Jesus, you became a new creation. A creation that is royal, righteous, and full of Holy Spirit power.
Practical Application
Past sins, perceived limitations, or failures no longer identify you. You are a new creation in Him, and your identity is now rooted in His righteousness. Start each day by declaring who you are in Christ— the righteousness of God, a royal priest, beloved, forgiven, and more than a conqueror.
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