UNITED INTO ONE
As the Scriptures say, "A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 5:31-33 (NLT)
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT)
How can a man and a woman be united into one? The Bible describes it as a great mystery but relates it to the relationship that Jesus Christ has with His followers. If I am one with someone else, then what hurts them will hurt me, and what benefits them will benefit me. I want to understand their priorities so we can move in the same direction and not pull each other apart.
What can strengthen our oneness with someone? This passage indicates a man should love his wife as he loves himself. If a man treats his wife like he would want to be treated, then he will be kind and considerate to her, and they will be drawn closer. A wife is to respect her husband by showing him that she cares about what he thinks or wants. As partners put each other's preferences above their own, they will be drawn closer together.
Colossians 3 also gives us a list of characteristics we should seek to put on like clothes that will help bind us together with other followers of Jesus. Ultimately, it's love that will bring us together.
APPLICATION: Ask God to show you what characteristic He wants you to put on today. Ask a spouse or friend what characteristic in Colossians 3:12-14 they see in you, and which characteristic would make them feel closer to you.
PRAYER: Father, draw me so close to You that it feels like we are one. Give me your perspective so I can see others the way You see them and treat them the way I would want to be treated. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?