God is the loving ruler of the world. He made the world. He made us as rulers of the world under him. Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. Revelation 4:11
Unfortunately we all have rejected the ruler — God, by trying to run life our way without him. We fail to rule ourselves or society or the world. As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.” Cross references:
- Romans 3:10-12, cited from Ps. 14:1-3; 53:1-3
Romans 3:10-12
But God won’t let us rebel forever. God’s punishment for rebellion is death and judgment. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment. Hebrews 9:27
Because of his love, God sent his Son into the world: the man Jesus Christ. Jesus always lived under God’s rule. Yet by dying in our place he took our punishment and brought forgiveness. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God. 1 Peter 3:18a.
God raised Jesus to life again as ruler of the world. Jesus conquered death, now gives new life and will return to judge. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3
So there are two ways to live:
Our own way — reject the ruler God and try to run our own life our way. Result: Condemned by God to face death and judgment.
Or God’s new way — submit to Jesus as ruler and rely on his death and resurrection. Result: Forgiven by God and given eternal life.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life;
whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life,
but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36