Growing up, I would ride my bike everywhere. It was more than merely a means for transportation; it was a window to freedom. Later replaced by my first car, the opportunities these mechanical innovations held for me were significant to my developmental years. And learning how they work, the various parts that make up their systems and methods to repair them when they malfunction, became important to my growth. Yet, as my knowledge would increase regarding the sophistication and engineering that were involved, I continued to look at these holistically. When speaking, I would reference these as wholes, and found no need to list out the names of the individual components that they were constructed of. Although essential, the distinct pieces integrate systemically so that the result is a functional device that I could see as simply my bike or car.
Similarly, the Bible describes marriage, family and the church in terms of wholeness. Although we are all uniquely and wonderfully made by our loving creator, as individuals with distinct characteristics and gifts, we are called to oneness in a way that is miraculous.
God loves to work in the realm of the supernatural. Jesus clarifies to His followers that the impossible things to men are readily accessible by God. When the first woman was introduced to her soul mate, God officiated the wedding, and ordained marriage. He inaugurated a principle of two becoming one. But we mess around with the message all the time. We say things like “she is my better half” and “he completes me.” In doing so, we proclaim that one is only a partial person until a spouse fills the void to make one whole. But two halves have always equaled a whole, and there is no miracle; this is third grade arithmetic. God wants to do more.
When Jesus was asked about conditions under which one might sever the union of holy matrimony, he references this principle that finds its origin in the beginning of human relationship; oneness. When speaking about these ideas, Jesus expands the concept to explain kingdom of heaven thinking in general, which includes family, and the church.
In the Old Testament, God is referenced as the husband and Israel as the wife. In the New Testament, Jesus is pictured as the groom and the church is the bride. The entire Bible starts with a wedding and finishes with a wedding, one before all things fell out of sync with the divine order, and the final restores all things to the original design. So when Paul writes about principles of roles and oneness in marriage, he says that he is actually doing more than most realize; he is revealing mysteries relating to Christ and His church.
We are warned to avoid useless wrangling and foolish disputes, not to be argumentative, but to live as peacemakers. Divisiveness is dangerous to unity, but love covers a multitude of sins, and we are called to forgive those who trespass against us. God did not intend for Adam to be alone and he doesn’t want you isolated either. Mishandled friction in relationships can produce loneliness: a playground for Satan to scheme evil. God wants you filled with his spirit and in deep fellowship with himself and others. There is nothing noble about being an island and hard hearts rarely feel fulfilled. But Jesus’ words turn deserts into spring meadows, they are spirit, and they are life. In John 17, eternal life is defined as knowing our heavenly father and Jesus Christ, the only begotten son sent from above. In that passage, Jesus prayed that his followers would understand and experience this concept of oneness. If you have ever wondered what God’s will is for your life, this is it! It’s time for the children of God to learn and live the miracle of wonderful oneness.