Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. – John 17:11
One of the most impressive things about the Bible is the way it linked together, with consistent themes running throughout, from beginning to end. Though written over a span of 1,600 years and composed by more than forty writers of various backgrounds and skill levels, God sovereignty authored it with one united voice. And He continues to speak through it today without going message.
Unity. Togetherness. Oneness.
These are the unshakable hallmarks of our God.
From the very beginning of time, we see His unity at work through the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God the Father is there, creating the heavens and the earth. The Spirit is “moving over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). And the Son, who is “the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature” (Hebrews 1:3), joins in speaking the world into existence. “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26).
Us. Our.
All three are in perfect oneness of mind and purpose.
We later see Jesus rising from the waters of baptism, as the Spirit descends like a dove and the Father announces over this majestic scene, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
Jesus later says, “I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). His desire to answer His followers’ prayer is “so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). He asks the Father to send the Holy Spirit, knowing that the Spirit will faithfully testify about the Son He loves, for “no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:11 NIV).
Father, Son, and Spirit are in pristine unity. They serve each other, love each other, and honor each other. Though equal, they rejoice when the other is praised. Though distinct, they are one, indivisible.
And because this relationship is so special – so representative of the vastness and grandeur of God – He has chosen to let us experience an aspect of it. In the unique relationship of husband and wife, two distinct individuals are spiritually united into “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). And “what God has joined together, let man not separate” (Mark 10:9 NIV).
In fact, this mystery is so compelling – and the love between husband and wife so intertwined and complete – that God uses the imagery of marriage to explain His love for the church.
The church (the bride) is most honored when her Savior is worshiped and celebrated. Christ (the bridegroom), who has given Himself up for her, is most honored when He sees her “as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27 NIV). Both Christ and the church love and honor the other.
That’s the beauty of unity.
Husband – What would happen in your marriage if you devoted yourself to loving, honoring, and serving your wife in all things? What if you determined that the preservation of your oneness with this woman was worth every sacrifice and expression of love you could make? What would change in your home if you took that approach to your relationship on a daily basis?
Wife – What would happen if you made it your mission to do everything possible to promote togetherness of heart with your husband? What if every threat to your unity was treated as a poison, a cancer, an enemy to be eliminated by love, humility, and selflessness? What would your marriage become if you were never again willing to see your oneness torn apart?
The unity of the Trinity, as seen beyond the reaches of history past and continuing into the future, is evidence of the power of oneness. It is unbreakable. It is unending. And it is this same spiritual reality that disguises itself as your home and mailing address. Though painted in the colors of work schedules and doctor visits and trips to the grocery, oneness is the eternal thread that runs through the daily experience of what you call “your marriage,” giving it a purpose to be defended for life.
Therefore, love this one who is as much a part of your body as you are. Serve this one whose needs cannot be separated from your own. Honor this one who, when raised upon the pedestal of your love, raises you up too in the eyes of God, all at the same time.
Today’s Dare
Isolate one area of division in your marriage, and look on today as a fresh opportunity to pray about it. Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your own heart that is threatening oneness with your spouse. Pray that He would do the same for them. And if appropriate, discuss this matter openly, seeking God for unity.
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This love dare could not have came at a more perfect time in my marriage. For those who really know me you know that I love my God, my hubby and my family. The unity of my marriage has been tried and tried again in the 10 years we have been married but in the end we still stand next to each other and we still stand for one another.
Wife – What would happen if you made it your mission to do everything possible to promote togetherness of heart with your husband? What if every threat to your unity was treated as a poison, a cancer, an enemy to be eliminated by love, humility, and selflessness? What would your marriage become if you were never again willing to see your oneness torn apart?
Over the past few days my hubby and I have been involved in some serious conversations in regards to our marriage. We have both come to the agreement that we are in this together and although things and people have tried to come between us, no matter what we are one with each other. Our marriage means more to us than the temptations of the world. Our marriage means more to us than the doubts one could have on any given day and our love is deeper than any hurt we could ever cause each other.
Together my hubby and I woke up Saturday morning with a renewal of our marriage in our hearts. We both felt as if we could move on, forgive and focus on the love that we clearly share and the love that can clearly not be broken. Does this mean we will never fight again? No but it means that we have an agreement that we are in this together and we are going to get through this.
In times of fear my husband will wrap his arms around me and speak in my ear. This last time he said to me, you are my wife and I am in love with YOU we WILL get through, things will be different for us you will see.
Marriage is hard and it can cause a person the deepest pain one can know. But the one thing that has always been true for my hubby and myself is the love we share. We are those people who love each other still. We are those people who do not like to do much of anything without the other. We are those people who consider the other to be our best friend. I love being with my hubby, he is my best friend and is the only one I want to be with. I know throughout our hard times he feels the same way.
It is my mission to promote the togetherness of our hearts. I refuse to allow our love to be treated as a poison and will continue to look to God and my faith to be strong in my marriage and to honor my husband. I have never worked so hard for one thing or for one person as I do in this marriage and for my hubby. Regretfully I have made many mistakes in my marriage and have dishonored him many times. But I know if I keep working at it, keep working on me and keep giving my issues to God He will see me through and our marriage will be rewarded more than I ever imagined.
Fear can paralyze a person, but fear will not keep me from having and giving the marriage we both deserve.
I love my hubby.... thank you for loving me.
The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! (Deuteronomy 6:4)
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