Rom. 5:17, For if by the transgressions of the one (Adam), death reigned through the one, much more those who are receiving the abundance of grace and are receiving the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.
God has called us to master through life; not muddle through. We know one day that we will reign with Christ, as his bride, throughout the eternal ages, but this verse says that we’re called to reign in life in the here and now, not just in the distant ages to come. The moment you become a Christian eternal life begins. Remember eternal life isn’t primarily chronological, concerning the duration of time; instead it’s about a quality of life that is heavenly and supernatural in nature. It is actually the very life of Christ himself imparted to us by the indwelling Holy Spirit. That’s why it says that we can reign in life through the one Jesus Christ. It is through the PERSON JESUS that we can reign in this life, in the midst of all the grit, and grind that make up daily living. He is IN US the available abundance of grace that we can count on, and rest in in every situation and relationship, moment by moment; and HE IS IN US the very gift of righteousness that we can continually appropriate by faith, in the face of every temptation. Grace isn’t a thing, instead it is the divine attitude and activity of God in the person of Jesus, by the indwelling Holy Spirit, made endlessly available to us. In the same way, holiness, or righteousness isn’t a thing, or an attainment that we achieve by sincere effort; instead it is the gift of the person Jesus who is instantly prepared to spring into action, conquering all sin, as we simply continue to receive Him as our righteousness. Col. 2:6 makes it very clear, “just as you received Him, so walk in Him.” When you first met Him, you by faith, received Him as the free gift of salvation, and the way you walk in holiness is to continue to, temptation, by temptation, by faith, receive Him as your righteousness. Holiness is a gift, not a reward, the same way your new birth was a gift; not a reward. Great saints are not great achievers; they are great receivers.