July 14, 2002

THE LIKENESS OF HIS DEATH

Romans 6:5

   "For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection" (Romans 6:5). We have been identified with the "likeness of His death," yet realizing that His death could not be shared. We had no part in that which was His alone as He bore God's wrath against sin. He was made a sin offering. This explains "the likeness," but not the fullness of His death!

   "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh..." (Rom. 8:3). Again notice the likeness. Christ had a human nature, like our sinful nature, but not a sinful nature. Were the word "likeness" missing, it might seem as though He partook of sinful flesh, which the scriptures are careful to avoid.

   "For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of One; for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren... Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil..." (Heb. 2:11,14). Notice: the children are "partakers," but He only "took part." The scriptures are careful to always distinguish between the Lord's perfect humanity and our fallen condition.

   The Lord "made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men" (Phil 2:7). He was fully man, but not fallen man!

   As believers we are "in the likeness of His death" in that we are "baptized into His death," "buried with Him," and "crucified with Him." According to Romans 6:6, "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him" finds us standing by His cross. And "Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; [that] death has no more dominion over Him" finds us standing by the empty tomb! (6:9). "For in that He died, he died unto sin once: but in that He lives, he lives unto God" (6:10), and so do we! We thus reckon ourselves to be truly "dead unto sin, and alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:11).

Ivan L. Burgener