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 NIV).

    Prophet Elijah, though an Old-Testament figure, illustrates the necessity of our reigning in life, through one of the most dramatic episodes of his life and ministry: the contest between him and the prophets of Baal (1Ki 18:16-40). The reference above, though quite lengthy, will prove an interesting read. Therefore, I encourage you to read it carefully, as doing so will help you better understand the point of this article.
    King Ahab and his notoriously wicked wife, Jezebel, had led Israel into Baal worship, away from the only true God. The result of that rebellion was God’s pronouncement of judgement over Israel, through Elijah. The resultant drought and famine had raged on for three and a half years. Elijah became a wanted man, following the role he had played in bringing about the current ecological and economic conditions. Ahab had searched for him everywhere without success. Surprisingly, however, Elijah appeared one day looking for Ahab. The eventual meeting between them is where verse 16 of that text of   Scripture picks up the account.
    At Elijah’s instruction, king Ahab had summoned all the prophets of Baal for a contest on Mount Carmel. The bone of contention was who, between Jehovah God and Baal, had the exclusive right of worship from Israel. 1Kings 
18:21 describes what followed in the following words: “Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.” Elijah, just like many of us do today, tried to persuade the Israelites with words to decide who to worship. Israel was in such a backsliden state that Bible says, “…But the people said nothing.” They just ignored him.
    Israel’s  response to Elijah’s passionate plea is instructive. Neither the world nor the backsliden segment of Christianity can be won to Christ or restored  with mere words. If mere words could have won the sinners or restored the backsliden, that would have been done a long time ago. Some people today think that mere intellectual or emotional appeal will do the job. No wonder Paul, in writing to the Corinthian church, said: “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom…”(1Cor 2:4). His reason being: “that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of
 God.” (1Cor 2:5). Elijah, probably having seen the futility of his oratorical efforts to persuade the Israelites, proposed a contest.
     For the contest, two bulls were provided, one for the prophets of Baal and the other for Elijah. The prophets of Baal were to build an altar and place their slaughtered sacrifice on it, without setting fire to it. Elijah, for his own part, was to do likewise. Then both the prophets of Baal, on the one hand, and Elijah on the other, were to call upon Baal or Jehovah God respectively. In Elijah’s words: “The god who answers by fire—he is God”(1KI 18:24). The proposition satisfied the people and they responded with: “What you say is good.”  It is noteworthy that the people seemed to have suddenly noticed Elijah’s presence when he called for a contest of power. Might we—the body of Christ—be missing something the world around us secretly but eagerly yearns to see on display.    
    Baal failed his prophets when they needed him the most. Their futile labour at securing an answer from Baal led to Elijah’s taunting them. Was the failure of the prophets of Baal because Baal could not send down fire to consume their sacrifice? Not necessarily, but because the Almighty Jehovah God would not permit it. 
Remember, the magicians of Egypt duplicated the miracles God had worked through Moses but only up to a certain point, beyond which, they were hopelessly powerless, and acknowledged it:” Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the Lord had said.”(Ex 8:19).
    It was then Elijah’s turn. The first thing he did after calling the people to himself was to rebuild the altar of the Lord that was in ruins. Then he proceeded to build a new one using twelve stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. After all that, Elijah did something mutually incompatible with fire :he instructed them to pour water on the slaughtered sacrifice on the altar until it overflowed with water. Then he called on God. Elijah’s prayer is instructive. It shows what the whole display of power was basically about : “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”” (1KI 18:36,37).
    Do you remember the primary reason why Jesus remained on earth after His resurrection? The Bible says it was that He might present Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs (Acts 1:3). Similarly, God wanted to reveal Himself as the God who is alive and well. Just as Elijah’s prayer reveals when he said : “…let it be known today…that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command….”, God wants you to reign in life in order to reveal Himself to humanity through you as well as that His manifold wisdom might be made known by the church (you and me) to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places (Eph 3:10). In addition Elijah prayed : “O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”” It shows how much God wants to draw humanity to Himself through your witness as a man or woman who is reigning in life.
    In response to Elijah’s prayer, “…the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench” (1Ki 18:38),  much like when the HolySpirit fell afresh on the disciples after they had prayed (Acts 4:31). The effect of God’s showing up on the people was as dramatic as it was amazing. In words of the Bible : “When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD–he is God! The LORD–he is God!” (1KI 18:39). What a sobering scene! Suddenly, by a display of power, mankind recognised and acknowledged the superiority of the LORD as God.
    In conclusion, the Bible says, “Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.” (1Ki 18:40). Wow! An incredible transformation had taken place in the people so that they obeyed the command to sieze the prophets of Baal. They became instrumental in the public execution of the representatives of a god they once worshipped. Like Elijah, if we assume our role to reign in life, our words and actions will have an indisputable impact on mankind and the earth in general. Truly where the word of a king is, there is power (Eccles 8:4). Shalom.