When Two Become One
By Carolyn Dale Newell
Monday, March 20, 2017
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. Ephesians 5:31 NKJV
God created marriage to reflect the unity of the church and Christ. The church is the body with Christ as the head. We are members of His flesh and of His bones (Eph. 5:30). Therefore, husbands and wives are one flesh.
Oneness becomes difficult in a society that is consumed with self. Satan seeks to destroy marriages in many ways. One of his tactics is to divide and conquer. It is very interesting that Paul wrote about the believer’s armor immediately after the section on marriage in Ephesians. We certainly need to defend our marriages from the enemy’s attacks.
How can we remain as one when so many forces can pull us apart? The Biblical commands concerning marriage are designed by God to keep us united.
First, wives are submissive to their own husbands, just like the church obeys Christ (Eph. 5:22-24). Sadly, this verse has been used to mistreat and abuse women because it is not followed up by the command for husbands.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church… >Ephesians 5:25 NKJV
Paul expands on this by explaining that husbands ought to nourish and cherish their wives just as they would care for themselves (Eph. 5:29).
When husbands sacrificially love their wives, it is easy for the wife to be submissive.
We are two flawed humans trying to live in a flawless marriage. That doesn’t work without compromise. When problems arise, and they will, we must seek to settle them with God’s direction.
It is only through God’s power that we can be the husbands and wives that He wants us to be. Our desire is to be one flesh, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.
Ladies, what is one selfless act you can do for your husband this week? Think of something that will really make him happy. It could be a large home-cooked meal or a special dessert. Leave some suggestions for us in the comment section.
Heavenly Father, thank You for my spouse and our marriage. Guard it against anything that could damage it. Help me be the best wife/husband I can be. Draw us closer to You. Amen.
© 2017 by Carolyn Dale Newell. All rights reserved.
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