No Longer Two
Bob Yandian
For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection. Romans 6:5
No Longer Two
The Greek word sumphotos is the word translated planted in the KJV and united in the NKJV. The best translation is that we have become the same plant with the Lord Jesus Christ. We were two plants and have been united as one in the planted and resurrected Lord Jesus.
This is not two being grafting together, but the process where two plants actually become one. Grafting has been used for years in uniting one limb into the trunk of another tree and two different fruits actually coming from one trunk, apples of two colors or lemons with limes. Grafting comes later in Romans 11:17-24, speaking of the Jews and Gentiles becoming part of the same Church, the Body of Christ.
The verse here in Romans 6:5 is a beautiful picture of our personal, positional truth with Jesus and His work in death, burial, resurrection, ascension and seating in heaven. According to this verse, we have actually become part of the same plant with Jesus, not just grafted in. Jesus Christ has become one with us and we have become one with Him, so much so, that there is no difference between us. No marks of joining together, but truly one plant, unified as one person. This is a fulfillment of Jesus' prayer in John 17 where He requested that we may be one with Him and He is one with the Father, us in Him, Him in us and all one in God.
Redwood Trees
In the Redwood Forest of Northern California, the Sequoia trees are the most unique of all trees in this process of uniting. Often, two Sequoia trees can grow up close to each other and one day touch after 50 to 100 years. When the bark touches, they began to overlap each other, and one tree emerges after centuries.
Often the trees touch above the ground and begin to become one, many feet in the air. An opening between the two trees will remain through many years until one day, many centuries later, the opening closes and one large tree is the result. There have been times when many trees have merged into one and the result is one very large tree trunk and a tree reaching hundreds of feet into the air. From all outward appearances, we have one tree. Only by cutting into the tree and examining the rings can we determine this was one tree made up of two or more trees.
We Grew Out of the Root of Adam
We were by nature the children of wrath and disobedience. God did not plan on mankind being separated from Him, but dwelling with Him in eternity. In the fullness of time, Jesus came into the earth by the will of the Father to remove the sin problem.
Jesus was born of a virgin among mankind and arrived to do the Father's will. Jesus lived a sinless life to be examined by man and God. He went to the cross and judged the sin nature and all acts of sin for mankind. He then gave mankind the choice to become one with Him in His resurrection. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says God made Jesus Christ to be sin for us so we could become the righteousness of God in Christ.
Our Unity With Christ Began on the Cross
When I accepted Jesus Christ by faith as my Savior, I become one with Him in all He did to remove my sin and make me become one with him in righteousness.
On the cross we died together. When He took my sin, we were one in sin. When He was buried, I was buried with Him. When He was quickened, or made alive, I was made alive with Him. When He was resurrected from the dead, I rose with Him in newness of life. And when He sat down at the right hand of the Father, I sat down with Him to rule and reign in life over Satan, demons and circumstances.
Since we are "in Christ", in the same plant with Him, God already sees us in eternity and not in time. God sees us saved for eternity and forever one with God the Father, one with Christ and one with His family. God already sees us in heaven in a resurrection body. God already sees the flesh as eradicated since He sees us in eternity, without the nature of sin. Unity, one with Christ, will not begin in heaven, but be a glorious continuation of unity which began the moment I accepted Him as my savior.
The book of Romans clarifies the principle of justification, whether it is by deeds of the law, or by the work of God. The law has never been a means of salvation. Faith has always been the means of spirituality regardless of the dispensation. This epistle also helps us to understand how to have victory over the flesh. If we as believers walk according to our new nature, the inward man, we are controlled by the Holy Spirit and not the sin nature. Romans New Testament Commentary is a verse-by-verse teaching of the book of Romans from the personal study notes of Bob Yandian.
172 Pages
Purchase this book bundle and save! This bundle includes one of each of Bob Yandian's New Testament Commentary books listed below.
Acts Commentary
Romans Commentary
Galatians Commentary
Ephesians Commentary
Philippians Commentary
Colossians Commentary
James Commentary
Hebrews Commentary
Epistles of John Commentary
New! Thessalonians Commentary
Build your spiritual library or give gifts to your Pastor or friends. This book bundle includes one of every book in print by Bob Yandian, 34 in all. This bundle includes the 10 Commentaries on New Testament books and many topical studies.
Book Titles:
Decently and in Order
Calling and Separation
Ephesians Commentary
Proverbs: Wisdom for Today
Galatians Commentary
God’s Word to Pastors - Revised and Expanded
One Flesh
Understanding the End Times
Leadership Secrets of David the King
From Just Enough to Overflowing
God and the Businessman
Healing: How Deep are the Stripes
Faith’s Destination
What if the Best is Yet to Come?
The Bible and National Defense
Romans Commentary
Philippians Commentary
Colossians Commentary
James Commentary
Acts Commentary
Rising Out of the Pit
Let God’s Will Find You
Why Did This Happen?
Hebrews Commentary
Thessalonians Commentary
Life & Power
The Grace of Healing
Theology Simplified Vol 1
Theology Simplified Vol 2
God’s Heart for Giving
Let Your Light Shine
Epistles of John Commentary
Starting Strong: Foundations for New Believers
A Root Out of Dry Ground: Dissecting the Stages of Revival
34 Books
This series answers the question asked in Job 9:2 (KJV); “…but how should man be just with God?” The cross of Jesus is where God and man meet. On his own, man can never approach God. Righteous God can never meet with sinful man. Something must stand between and draw the two together. What unites God and man is the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Don’t miss this in-depth study on the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
Message Titles:
The God Man
Son of the Living God
The Character of God
The Virgin Birth
Jesus: Our Scapegoat
The Heart of the Earth
Reconciled to God
7 MP3s / MRD04
The miracle of multiplying the bread and the fish to feed the multitudes is described in chapter 6 of John. Jesus went on in this chapter to teach four sermons in which He uses bread as an example of Himself. In these four sermons Jesus addresses the seeking crowd, the murmuring crowd, the disputing crowd, and the disciples.
Message Titles:
Bread From Heaven
Convicting Ministry - The Holy Spirit
Two Trees
The Cost of Discipleship
4 MP3s/MRD05
The miracle of multiplying the bread and the fish to feed the multitudes is described in chapter 6 of John. Jesus went on in this chapter to teach four sermons in which He uses bread as an example of Himself. In these four sermons Jesus addresses the seeking crowd, the murmuring crowd, the disputing crowd, and the disciples.
Message Titles:
Bread From Heaven
Convicting Ministry - The Holy Spirit
Two Trees
The Cost of Discipleship
4 CDs