Reigning in Life with Our Words
David W Palmer
(Romans 5:17 NKJV) 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.
Because of what Jesus has done for us in his death, burial, and resurrection, this passage states that through him, we will “reign in life.” This appears to be saying that once we are born again and live by faith in Jesus Christ, we will have the authority to do what kings do—control a realm with our words. So today, to ensure we are getting this very clearly, accurately, and with proper understanding, let’s investigate it further.
From the outset of creating humans, God stated that he has given us dominion on the earth; and he wants us to use it to fill and subdue the earth:
(Genesis 1:26–28 NKJV) Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” {27} So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. {28} Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
God’s first spoken words were, “Let there be light.” Scripture records that consequently, “there was light.” In other words, God said it and it was done. The same almighty, creative God spoke regarding man (man and woman): “Let them have dominion.” Because these words were spoken by the same creator God in the same chapter, we must conclude that they carried the same creative power as “Let there be light.” Therefore, what followed this originating statement was that there was a man who has dominion. Yes, we humans have dominion on this earth.
God made us in his image, and he is a great King who rules with his words; so we can rule with our words too.
Now that we have set the foundation of us reigning by speaking in God’s image, let’s read our opening Scripture again from a different translation for more clarification:
(Romans 5:17 CEV) Death ruled like a king because Adam had sinned. But that cannot compare with what Jesus Christ has done. God has treated us with undeserved grace, and he has accepted us because of Jesus. And so we will live and rule like kings.
Because of Jesus, the Holy Spirit says, “We will live and rule like kings.” Are there any other New Testament passages that can confirm our understanding of what this appears to be saying?
(Revelation 1:5–6 NKJV) ...
