For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ (Rom 5:17).

Once you come to know what it means to reign in life, at least, in your head, then the next step will be to learn how you actually reign in life. Needless to say, just to know or understand something in your head does not automatically mean that you can do it now. In order to reign in life through Christ, you will need to know and fully believe that Jesus Christ lives in you.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

These are the words by John, which are well known among Christians. When we are asked by someone, “Where is Jesus?”, many of us correctly answer, “He is in me.” But we need to keep in mind that God’s word only works in our life when it is combined with our faith. So often, what we think we believe is only in the realm of our mental agreement, and it is not faith. So often, what we confess is only a repetitive routine of saying things, and there is no heart in that confession. God’s word does not work in that way.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Gal 2:20).

This is an honest confession by Paul who actually lived, not only by believing this truth, but also by experiencing it as a result of believing. Note the way he says, “I have been crucified … but Christ lives in me,” not “I believe I have been crucified….“ The following words reveal the kind of truth that has become an important foundation for his faith:

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection (Rom 6:4-5).

He saw himself as the one who was completely united with Christ in his death and resurrection. It was by this faith that he was used as God’s vessel to carry the name of Jesus. He was indeed the resurrection of Christ. This faith of him is now given to us in the Bible as a truth upon which we also need to stand for our daily life. Look at his following amazing words:

… which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come (Eph 1:20-21).

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus (2:4-6).