JOHN BOWLIN
MINISTRIES
Preaching and Teaching Everywhere
REIGNING IN LIFE
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. And so we should not be like cringing, fearful slaves, but we should behave like God’s very own children, adopted into the bosom of His family, and calling to Him, “Father, Father.” For His Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we really are God’s children. And since we are His children, we will share His treasures—for all God gives to his Son Jesus is now ours too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
Romans 8:14-17 TLB. (Emphasis added).
The word adoption refers to a responsible person who's grown from childhood to adulthood who receives ceremony commencing their full status as an adult, the spirit of adoption.
The suffering mentioned here has nothing to do with suffering sickness or suffering some disease. We are partakers of His suffering, meaning that we have to stand for what Jesus died to provide when He suffered on the cross. WE have to stand against persecution and believe what Jesus taught us. That we can have victory in every situation. Allow me to share another Scripture found in Ephesians chapter 2:10.
For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), [b]recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
God prepared and prearranged things so that you and I can live the good life as an adopted child of God. You are special to Father God! He prepared things for you and wants you to REIGN with Him. God didn't prepare you and me to live thinking only in terms of a denomination; He prepare us to live and REIGN in His kingdom and bring His kingdom of heaven down to the earth.
Romans 5:17 (AMPC) - 17 For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
This verse goes on to say that you shall reign by Jesus Christ. Where are you to reign?
The Weymouth Translations says - For if, through the transgression of the one individual, Death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the more shall those who receive God's overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reign as kings in Life through the one individual, Jesus Christ. (Emphasis Added).
The very notion of reigning carries with it the idea of ruling, of dominion, and of having authority. We have the authority to rule and reign and have dominion in our life; in the life we have here and now!
Some people may say or think; "Well, I don't see very many people ruling and reigning in life." One reason is that this truth hasn't been proclaimed or taught as it should be.
Hosea 4:6 (AMPC) - 6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you [the priestly nation] have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you that you shall be no priest to Me; seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
If God's people had knowledge of who they really are in Christ, of who God is, and of the rights and privileges of their dominion; they wouldn't be destroyed. One reason Satan is often able to reign, or rule, in the life of Christians is because those Christians do not realize the authority that has been given to them.
Many times Christians think Jesus is going to do everything for them; they do not realize they have a part to play. Romans 5:17 doesn't say Jesus Christ will reign through you.:.."They (that's us) which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. This verse says that you and I will reign. Of course, because of Jesus Christ that we have this authority, but He has given us the authority to rule and reign!
In Romans 5:17 we find two things we have received: Abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, these enables you to reign. If you don't know what you have received, you will be hindered in reigning.
RIGHTEOUSNESS - THE KEY TO REIGNING
RIGHTEOUSNESS is a key to why many people have not entered into this lifestyle of REIGNING with Christ. Righteousness is not conduct or the way you act - that's holiness.
Righteousness is the nature of the Father imparted to us so that we are put in right standing with God. Being righteous means the ability to stand in the presence of the Father God without the sense of guilt or inferiority or shame.
Righteousness: Restores Dominion. Restores Fellowship. Restores Peace.
Restores Freedom. Restores Your Faith.
If you are in right standing with God, there is nothing coming between you and Him. Let this truth get firmly settled in your heart and mind.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (AMPC) says -Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!
We have been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21)! As New creatures, we don't want to sin, and God doesn't want s to sin, either. But if we do miss it, provision has been made for us 1 John 2:1 says “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” The Greek word translated “advocate” means lawyer or one who pleads our case. We’ve got a lawyer in the “Supreme Court” of Heaven pleading our case. Who is it? Jesus Christ the Righteous!
First John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins . . . .” When I sinned, I lost my sense of righteousness. When I confessed my sin, God forgave me. But if that’s all that God did, I’d still have a “spiritual inferiority complex.” I’d still be ashamed to come into His Presence. I’d still lack boldness in approaching Him. But, First John 1:9 goes on to say God is “. . . faithful and just to forgive us our sins, AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.” God cleanses me from all unrighteousness! If I’m cleansed from my unrighteousness, that means I’m righteous.
Once righteousness comes, faith flows like a flood. You have been made the righteousness of God in Him. You have rights. Your inheritance, that which God has given you, always comes in proportion to this new identity. You are in a new family! You have new authority! Now we must be trained to reign.
There are standards out there, and we have been trained in those standards. This world we live in does tings a certain way, almost completely opposite from the kingdom. But once you come into the family of God, you have a whole different standard by which you should live in this society. This new standard will distinguish you.
The Bible says that the unsaved will see you and acknowledge that you are the righteous planting of God, a holy people. They will be able to spot you anywhere. They will readily identify you as a righteous man or woman.
Jesus said, "My peace I give unto you" (John 14:27). This is not the kind of peace that the world gives you, because they don't have peace. The joy of the Lord is ours! The joy the comes from heaven. I can be full of joy all the time. I don't need to be up one day and down the next.
Faith makes it so we can live on earth just like it is in heaven. No sickness, no poverty, no shame, no guilt, no disappointments, or failures. It is ours right now. You have a right to say, "I will never be sick another day in my life." I know this may feel strange, but just say these words out loud right now: "I will never be sick another day in life."
Someone might say that doesn't make sense. Well, it is not designed to make sense. It is designed to make faith. In the kingdom, you declare the outcome before you eve enter the battle! Heaven is our inheritance!
We sing about heaven, we talk about heaven, but we can have heaven right here and now. Didn't Jesus tell us to pray this way: "Your kingdom come, Your will be done in earth as it is in heaven'?
Let people see how good Your God is!
Show them how good heaven is!
This is your inheritance!
It is written right into your adoption papers!
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