Romans 5

“As sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (v21). Paul taught that because of Adam’s disobedience, “death reigned” (v13,17) over everyone, both Jews and Gentiles.  Because sin broke our union with the source of Life, all humanity lived under the shadow of death and bore the burdens of guilt and fear.  The second Adam, Jesus Christ, ransomed us from that dark kingdom and gave us a new citizenship in His kingdom of light. 

Grace is in charge in God’s kingdom. When we are in Christ, guilt and fear have no authority over us; we “reign in life” (v17) with our Savior.