Romans 5:19-21

For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

From the time of the first man (Adam) sin and death has reigned among men. Sin and death are likened to a unified dominant king controlling men and their destinies. It’s almost as if we had no choice: we were made sinners by the disobedience of Adam. We were all born sinners into a kingdom of sin. Sin was natural and normal to us. There is such a power in the world, a universal law, that excuses and encourages sin. Sin reigned, and sin finishes its work by ultimately slaying the subjects of its kingdom. We are slaves, low born, disadvantaged, destined for this. 

But there came a new King into the world. One who evaded the natural way of conception through virgin birth. He was born righteous and pure into the world of sin. As the God-Man he triumphed over every temptation to sin. Ultimately he was lifted up, to receive in his body God’s judgment wrought by King Sin and Death, so as to set free those who were all their lives subject to his reign. He defeated Sin and Death and established a new kingdom.
In contrast to the former kingdom, the kingdom of Jesus is characterized by GRACE – favor, benevolence, help, beauty, gift-giving, kindness, compassion, etc. Through the new birth, our nature is changed – we are now naturally righteous and pure. We are also ushered into a new realm of living that is dominated and permeated with these qualities of grace. GRACE REIGNS in the life of a Christian. We are born as spiritual free men: privileged, high class, advantaged. We were made saints by the obedience of someone else – that’s very good news. Our lives are under the control, ownership and supervision of God’s Grace. Grace reigns. I am not the king of my life – Grace is, and because my King is so gracious I can find great comfort in knowing that he will defend me against every enemy in my life, including myself. The King of Sin and Death delighted in deceiving and destroying, but the King of Grace delights in teaching, encouraging, forgiving, restoring, redeeming and resurrecting. Grace is greater than all of my sin and will prevail. All hail King Grace!