VICTORY IN ONENESS

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: A 44-Year-Old Picture and a Missing Understanding
2. The Power of Hermeneutics and the Structure of Paul’s Teaching
3. Jewish-Gentile Conflict in Rome and Paul’s Literary Flow
4. The Purpose of Romans 1–3 and Misunderstood Verses
5. Moving Toward the Crescendo in Romans 8
6. The Misuse of “Sinner” Verses and Living Stuck in Them
7. The Questions of Romans 6:1–2 and the Reign of Grace
8. Hebrews 10 and the End of Sin-Consciousness
9. The Foundation of New Covenant Reality
10. Victory By Oneness: John 17:20–26
11. United with Christ in Spirit: 1 Corinthians 6:17
12. Understanding Our Spiritual Identity
13. Romans 6:3–11 and Baptism Into Christ
14. Renewing the Mind and Living the New Creation Reality

Introduction: A 44-Year-Old Picture and a Missing Understanding

Pastor Leonard begins by describing a picture that has remained in his mind for 44 years, from age 22 to 66. For many years, he was temptable because he did not know the truths he was teaching in this message. He did not understand the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the empowerment of that grace, or the reality of his righteousness. He explains that he believed what he was told, and he continues teaching because more people are listening, hearing, and following.

He acknowledges the work of his IT team, who turn his teachings into reels and booklets so more people can receive the truth. But the foundation is this: for many years, he did not live in the truth of his new reality because he was repeatedly told he was “just a sinner.”

The Power of Hermeneutics and the Structure of Paul’s Teaching

He transitions into the importance of hermeneutics—rightly dividing scripture. He reads Romans 3:23 and Romans 3:10 as commonly misused verses but explains that Paul was quoting the old covenant, not describing the new creation.

He explains Jewish literary structure: Paul often writes in a chiastic form—A, B, C (the crescendo), then back to C, B, A. Understanding this structure removes confusion, especially in Ephesians, where people misinterpret references to powers and principalities. The average Christian does not know this literary style, but Paul had clear intentions in his writing.

Jewish-Gentile Conflict in Rome and Paul’s Literary Flow

Pastor Leonard explains that the Roman Christians were not getting along. The Jewish believers felt superior to Gentile believers. He references Peter’s vision in Acts 10, where Peter resisted eating unclean animals and where God told him not to call anything unclean that God has made clean.

Peter, even born again, still told Cornelius that entering a Gentile home was unlawful. This mindset remained in the church. Paul had not yet visited Rome, so he wrote to bring unity, teaching that Jews were not superior. They were equally sinners under the law as Gentiles were without the law.

The Purpose of Romans 1–3 and Misunderstood Verses

Paul’s early chapters in Romans aim to show both Jews and Gentiles that they were sinners under the old covenant and needed a savior. When Paul says, “There is none righteous, no, not one,” and “All have sinned,” he is summing up the condition of humanity *before* Christ and "under" the law.
But many Christians stay stuck in these two verses and never move forward into the truth of their new identity.

Moving Toward the Crescendo in Romans 8

As Paul builds the argument, he moves toward Romans 8, where he declares what God has done: calling, justifying, and glorifying believers. The crescendo is unity with the Spirit—oneness.
Then Paul moves back down the chiastic structure. But people who misunderstand hermeneutics stay stuck at the top of the arc instead of reading the flow in context.

The Misuse of “Sinner

Pastor Leonard emphasizes that people stay stuck in Romans 3:10 and 3:23 because they are constantly taught those verses, living in a sin-consciousness that God never intended under the new covenant. They are taught untruths and remain bound by them.

The Questions of Romans 6:1–2 and the Reign of Grace

He reads Romans 6:1-2 (KJV)-"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" He explains Paul’s flow leading up to these verses. Before this, Paul declares Romans 5:21 (KJV)- "That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."

He also reads Romans 5:17 (KJV): "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." Paul is showing that grace now exercises dominion instead of sin. God does not want us living in the fallen mindset, consciousness of sin, or old nature, which has been removed in Christ.

Hebrews 10 and the End of Sin-Consciousness

Pastor Leonard reads Hebrews 10:1-2 (KJV)-"For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins."

He also reads Hebrews 10:14 (KJV)-"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

He explains that the law could never remove sin; sacrifices kept people in remembrance of sin. But Jesus’ blood ‘removed, ‘obliterated', ‘canceled', and ‘carried away' sin so believers no longer have sin-consciousness. Under the new covenant, believers are made holy, righteous, blameless, and united with Jesus.

The Foundation of New Covenant Reality

Because sin is removed, God expects believers to live in righteousness-consciousness. But if Christians are constantly told they are sinners, they cannot walk in this new identity. Victory over sin, death, sickness, and the results of the fallen nature comes from one truth: oneness.

Victory By Oneness: John 17:20–26

Pastor Leonard reads the entire passage, and you requested KJV, so here it is again in bold:

 John 17:20–26 (KJV)- "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them."

He explains Jesus gave us the same glory the Father gave Him so we could be one:
Jesus in the Father.
The Father in Jesus.
Us in Jesus.
Us in the Father.
Oneness.

United with Christ in Spirit: 1 Corinthians 6:17

He quotes 1 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV)- "But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit."
He stresses that believers must look beyond the “flesh tent” and see their true spiritual identity in Christ.

Understanding Our Spiritual Identity

We are primarily spiritual beings. Secondarily, we have a soul, mind, will, and emotions. Thirdly, we live in a flesh tent. To walk in oneness, we must look beyond the flesh and see Jesus. Our identity is found in Him.

Romans 6:3–11 and Baptism Into Christ

Pastor Leonard reads the passage, so here it is again in bold:
Romans 6:3–11 (KJV)- "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise, reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

He highlights Paul’s question: “Do you not know?”
Other translations say “Are you ignorant?” or “Have you forgotten?”
They did not yet know their new creation reality, so Paul taught them.

Renewing the Mind and Living the New Creation Reality

He teaches that the new man becomes a reality as we renew our minds. Paul says this in Romans 12, Ephesians, and Colossians—set your mind on things above, where Christ is seated.
We were raised with Christ, seated with Him, united with Him, and called to walk in newness of life.

Pastor Leonard ends by saying, “We know now.” The foundation is laid: believers are crucified with Christ, raised with Christ, and one with Christ.

Thank you for reading this article based on the sermon “VICTORY IN ONENESS” by Pastors Leonard and Lori Rola. We pray that this message of grace, righteousness, and oneness strengthens you and helps you walk boldly in your true identity in Christ. Please share this teaching with others so the revelation of oneness can spread and more people can live in the fullness of God’s grace.