Ruling and Reigning as the King Would

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”

Genesis 1:26 (KJV)

 

 

Dominion: To exercise rule or reign over a realm, sphere and or territory.

 

If you look at the same verse above as it is written in the NIV (or many other translations) you will find the word ‘rule’ rather than dominion.

That is a word we are more familiar with.

In an orderly society parents ‘rule over’ their children, teachers ‘rule over’ their classrooms and judges ‘rule over’ their courtrooms.

It does not take long to see how a less than benevolent parent, teacher or judge can bring fear, division and destruction.

But consider for a moment what Adam – before the fall – was to bring as he ruled over the earth.

Wasn’t it to be a reflection of His creator?

The attribute of His heavenly Father brought to bear in the earth.

Now imagine those parents, teachers and judges as citizens of the Kingdom of God.

How might we expect that they would rule and reign over their families, classrooms and courtrooms.

We would expect that attributes of the King of the Kingdom to be in evidence.

Love, mercy, justice, compassion, wisdom, etc…

Our homes, our classrooms and our courtrooms then become places of hope and promise.

They are places filled with the Kings’ love and His mercy.

Maybe you say – “Well, you’re describing heaven?”

Really?

What about your realm, sphere or territory?

What about the place where you live, work and play?

Consider again – and be challenged – by these words of Jesus:

“…thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…”

Allow me a bit of flexibility by suggesting this to ponder –

Your will be done Lord – in my home, at my job and anywhere on earth my feet take me!