Reigning in Life through Christ
“Reigning in life doesn’t come from climbing higher—it comes from resting in the One who already reigns.”
Romans 5:17 — “For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”
Today’s devotional from Day by Day by Grace is a fresh reminder of the immense contrast between the inheritance of Adam and the inheritance of Christ. Paul presents a before-and-after snapshot of humanity: on one side, the reign of death that spread to all through Adam’s sin; on the other, the reign of life available only through Christ.
Bob Hoekstra draws attention to how spiritual death entered the world through Adam and now presides like a cruel ruler over everyone who is only born once. That old life—our default mode in Adam—draws from a bankrupt well of weakness, failure, and sin. It offers no real strength, no lasting peace, and no ability to walk in victory. It may appear self-sufficient, but it’s still death reigning.
But for those in Christ, something glorious has been given: not just a rescue, but a complete transformation. God has provided a gift of righteousness, freely received by faith. This allows us to stand in full acceptance before a holy God—not based on our performance, but on Christ’s righteousness credited to us. Yet even with this gift, many believers struggle to live in consistent victory.
That’s where the second provision comes in—the abundance of grace. This isn’t just the grace that saves us, but grace for daily living. Grace to reign in life. And this is where the battle lies: not in striving, but in humbly receiving. Every moment we yield to Christ within, we’re no longer drawing from Adam—we're drawing from Christ Himself. And He never fails.
Hoekstra reminds us that grace is not automatic in experience. It flows in the soil of humility and is accessed by faith. Many believers possess righteousness but still walk defeated because they are not drawing upon the abundance of grace moment by moment. Reigning in life isn’t about effort—it’s about access. It’s not about becoming more—we already have all in Christ. It’s about receiving, trusting, and resting in the One who reigns through us.
Personalized Journal Entry — In the Holy Spirit’s Voice Through Scripture
You have died to the reign of Adam, and now My life is your life. The tyranny of sin and death no longer holds power over you, for you were crucified with Christ, and it is no longer you who live but Christ who lives in you. I have made you alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.
I have clothed you with My righteousness—not a righteousness of your own, but Mine, given freely by faith. You are fully accepted, fully loved, and fully mine. Yet this gift is not where I stop—it is only the beginning. I invite you to receive abundance—abundance of grace that flows from My heart into yours, moment by moment.
I am your sufficiency. You reign not by effort, but by receiving. Walk by faith, not by sight. I give grace to the humble. You stand in grace because you are standing in Me. I am the Vine—you are joined to Me. You no longer live by drawing from Adam’s empty cistern. You draw from My fullness.
Reign in life—not someday, but today. Not through performance, but through presence. My grace is yours. My life is yours. My victory is yours. Receive what is already yours in Me. The reign of death is over. Christ in you is the reign of life.
(Galatians 2:20, Colossians 2:13, Philippians 3:9, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Romans 5:2, James 4:6, 2 Corinthians 5:7)
Prayer
Father, thank You that I am no longer under the reign of death, but under the reign of life through Jesus Christ. You’ve not only declared me righteous—you’ve made me a partaker of grace that never runs dry.
Today, I walk in confident rest. Not drawing from Adam, but from Christ. Not striving to live for You, but trusting You to live through me. Thank You that Your abundance is mine—not someday, but now. I reign in life because Jesus reigns in me.
Amen.
Devotional Credit: Day by Day by Grace by Bob Hoekstra
Photo Credit: Unsplash.com