Romans 5:18-21

¹⁸ Consequently, just as condemnation for all people came as a result of one transgression, so too by the one righteous act came righteousness leading to life for all people. ¹⁹ Because in the same way that the disobedience of the one man made many sinners, so also through the obedience of one man many will be made righteous. ²⁰ Now the law came in so that the transgression may increase, but where sin increased, grace multiplied all the more, ²¹ so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

grace reigning through righteousness

The reign of sin accompanied by the law only produced more sin, which led to more death. The reign of grace came as a result of Christ’s death and resurrection. It now produces what the law could not: righteousness. Because of the grace of God which removed our condemnation, we can now live righteously more and more in this life. We will not experience sinlessness or perfection, but we can be obedient to the commands of our savior in faith. That grace can now reign in our hearts, producing God’s righteousness, and giving us glimpses into the eternal life which is our destiny.

LORD, we have had enough of sin reigning in our lives and producing death. We surrender our hearts to your grace. Produce in us the righteousness you want to demonstrate.