By THE SPIRIT Paul wrote in Romans chapter 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.
The word grace is first used in Genesis 6:8 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” and it denotes acceptance and favor. Grace denotes deliverance from enemies, affliction, or adversity as well as enablement, daily guidance, forgiveness, and preservation. Many Bible teachers have defined grace in the New Testament as GOD’S unmerited favor.
An abundance of grace suggests more than just a sufficiency of grace. The word abundance exceeds minimum requirement so this abundance of grace is necessary to reign. I would suggest that we must employ Divine unconditional Love as the motivation of grace and the recipient is able to walk in it in order to reign in life.
To reign means:
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to be king, to exercise kingly power, to reign
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of the governor of a province
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of the rule of the Messiah
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of the reign of Christians in the millennium
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metaph. to exercise the highest influence, to control
There is a tendency to express the power and authority promised to us in this verse by restricting it to one realm such as the Spiritual realm but I would submit that Jesus operated and reigned in the physical as well. He was not restricted in resources nor did anyone place Him in bonds or restrictions. His body was glorified as necessary as well as invisible when the need arose. He knew the intent of men’s hearts and dealt with them accordingly. He cured sickness and disease as well as He set the captives free.
Peter experienced this abundance of grace when he was placed in prison as recorded in Acts chapter 12:
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.
6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.
7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.
8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”
9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.
10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
As we continue to press in and fully align ourselves with FATHER and HIS Divine Intent of Love, we will reign with HIM in all circumstances. We will walk in an abundance of grace without limitation or restriction. Restrictions are only placed on those who have yet to mature to the fullness of Christ and this is done for their protection. Until one is fully matured, he or she is incapable of handling the unrestricted power and authority granted by Our Heavenly Father. However, we must understand that the goal of full maturity is definitely in our grasp and should be our expectation as we walk this narrow path for FATHER would not express this promise otherwise.
HE is the One Who sets our expectation thus we know HIS Intent. If we know HIS Intent then we know our goal. Expect to reign in life.