Oneness?
by Christian Family Life | Jun 20, 2018 |
Build, christian marriage
Oneness in marriage can be an elusive
concept, and it is not one that just
happens. So what is marriage oneness, and
how can you make it happen in your
marriage?
Oneness and Your Marriage as a Target
“There is no subject where error is
more dangerous…and discovery more
fruitful than the oneness of the Trinity
of the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit.” –Augustine of Hippo
There’s that word again, ‘oneness .’ If you’re
familiar with Christian Family Life, or have
participated in a Two Becoming Onesmall
group, you know oneness in marriage is all-
important.
Divisiveness is a big topic in our culture
today. Politics divide many. Men and
women are wary and redefining romantic
boundaries. Racism is a constant concern.
All of these—and more—can keep us from
accomplishing the two greatest
commandments expressed by Jesus—
loving God and loving other people (Mark
12:30-31).
Division, isolation and self-righteousness
are the fruit of God’s enemy, Satan. This
brings us back to oneness.
A Picture of Marriage Oneness in the Trinity
The Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit is the ultimate model of unity and
oneness.
Within the Trinity, God exists in three
separate persons, each perfectly aligned
towards accomplishing their individual and
collective purposes. Each living in perfect
love and harmony with the other. All moving
forward as one.
The Trinity is the model for a Christian
marriage. Joined with one another, husband
and wife are to be aligned with God and
His purposes for their union.
Reading the Genesis account of creation
(Gen 1 & 2) we see that on the sixth day
God said, “Let us create man in our image,
after our likeness…”
We observe that man and woman are to be
distinct from the rest of creation and to
“have dominion” over all. Then man and
woman are to “become one flesh” (Gen
2:24).
In marriage they are to model the oneness
of the Trinity unified with their Creator and
one another. Marriage was the first human
institution God ordained, before Israel, even
before the church.
How the Enemy Attacks Marriage Oneness
The Enemy had a different plan.
Understanding the importance of marriage
Satan slithered into the picture and
attacked. He deceived the man and woman
into disobeying God’s clear instructions.
This fractured their relationship with God
and with one another. Harmony, unity and
oneness were lost. Today we live in a war
zone where division is natural and oneness
unusual.
Satan remains the enemy of oneness.
He wants to perpetuate the lie that God is
untrustworthy and that other people, our
spouses in particular, are the problem. He
despises men and women and the prospect
of man being reconciled to God and the
affect that will have on man being to love
and forgive.
The fruit of his work is division.
Oneness Displays God's Purpose for
Marriage
Yet, as Augustine wrote, there is much to
be learned by observing the Holy Trinity of
God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The
Trinity is a model of oneness for every
marriage today.
When our marriages display this oneness,
all who come into contact with us get a
glimpse of unity, harmony and a hopeful
reminder of what will be when those who
believe are once again one with God.
3 Ways to Achieve Marriage Oneness
1) Faith Love
Practice an unconditional, selfless love that
is founded in faith and not based on
performance. Don't get trapped in the cycle
of unmet expectations.
2) Praying Together
There is very little that promotes oneness
better than praying together. This doesn't
have to be super formal or lengthy. But
speaking your needs to each other and
praying for them is sure to bring you closer
to oneness.
3) Invest in Your Marriage
This may include everything from
counseling to participating in a marriage
study like Two Becoming One . You have to
make time to invest in your marriage. If you
don't make time, it will never happen.
Find out more about God’s design for
marriage in Two Becoming One . The Kindle
version is also available on Amazon .
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