WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2024
REIGNING IN THE MIDST OF ADVERSITIES – Pastor Chris
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet (1 Corinthians 15:25).
Some read the verse above and assume it means all enemies aren’t yet under Jesus’ feet, but that’s not what it’s saying. Observe that it doesn’t say that Christ will reign “when” He has put all enemies under His feet. Rather, it says, “…until He has put all enemies under His feet.” In other words, He reigns in the midst of His enemies.
The Greek word translated reign is ‘basileuō’ (a verb),and it means to rule or to king. To truly grasp this, let’s review an aspect of Romans 5:17, the part that says, “…much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”
The Lord Jesus, who must reign or “king” as read in our opening verse, is in heaven where there are no enemies to reign over. This means the place to reign is here on earth, and how is He to reign? It’s through the Church; it’s through us.
Colossians 1:18 NIV says, “And he [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church….” Jesus is the head, the Church is His body, and the feet, as highlighted in the theme text, are a part of the body. Thus, Jesus continues to reign in the earth until all the enemies are subject to every member of the body of Christ.
That must happen before Jesus comes back. Can you see that the Lord isn’t coming for a beggarly, weakly, feeble or frail church? No! He’s coming for a triumphant Church (Ephesians 5:27). The Bible says He has “…made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:10).
No wonder the Lord Jesus said in John 16:33, “…In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” We’re born of Him and our faith in Him is our victory over the world. Now you see why James 1:2 says to count it all joy when you go through diverse tests. That’s because we reign in the midst of adversities.
It reminds of what David said, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies…” (Psalm 23:5). The enemies don’t count. In their midst you reign, you rule, you celebrate. Glory to God!
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PRAYERDear Father, thank you for the victory we have in Christ Jesus. I’m a member of the body of Christ, empowered to reign, rule and walk on in victory in this world. I reign in righteousness, walk in victory and manifest your Kingdom here on earth, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Romans 5:17 AMPC
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).
Colossians 1:16-18
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence.
Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: 1 Corinthians 6 & Psalms 119:1-112
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Colossians 1:9-18 & Jeremiah 6
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Corinthians 5 & Psalms 117-118
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Colossians 1:1-8 & Jeremiah 5
