In this Marital Moment I will begin a new series entitled, "Becoming One". In a world that prizes individuality God promotes the concept of oneness. People today pride themselves on self-improvement, self-promotion, self-esteem, and self-satisfaction. God takes pleasure in two individuals becoming one. Merging their lives together into the "oneness" that God intended for them is His design. In Genesis 2:24 states that, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh". The word "one" means unity or to be united. God intended for Adam and Eve to become one in their marital relationship. This "oneness" is far more than the sexual relationship. It im-plies that husband and wife are merging their lives into each other and losing in-dividual ideals that block or postpone God's workable concept of becoming one. Let's begin by think about the Designing Of Oneness. Obviously God is the designer. Becoming one is His pattern for marriage. But why did He promote this concept as the ideal condition for husband and wife? Let me give you four thoughts on this topic. (1) God Designed Oneness To Fill An Inward Void In The Heart Of Humanity. In Genesis 2:18 God said that "It is not good for man to be alone". In the Garden of Eden, Adam was surrounded by all kinds of things. Adam enjoyed the daily presence of God, he knew and named all the animals, and, perhaps he experienced angelic beings. However, these beings could not and did not vanquish the awful feelings of loneliness. There was no other human being with which to share his emotions, his thoughts, his life, his love, or his heart. When God created Eve, she perfectly filled the void and longing of Adam's heart. Genesis 2:18 says that Eve became Adam's "help meet". One suitable for him. One corresponding to him. Eve would provide the missing pieces of the puzzle of Adam's life. (2) God Designed Oneness To Create The Best Environment For Raising Children. In Genesis 1:28 God commands them to be "fruitful, and multiple, and to replenish(fill) the earth". Children are a natural product of be-coming one flesh. Some children are planned but most are surprises. The major-ity of them are loved and wanted. However, some are unwanted, abused, and abandoned. The home where mother and father are united together in love pro-vides the best and safest place in which to raise a family. Dysfunctional and broken homes create untold problems for children. In Genesis 1:11 we find that everything produces "after his kind". Dysfunctional parents produce dysfunctional children. Broken homes produce broken hearts and more broken homes. Develop and practice oneness in your home. It pays great dividends. (3) God Designed Oneness To Protect Marriage From Self-Destruction. Genesis 2:24-25 gives us God's plan for humanity in the sexual realm: heterosexual, monogamous love within the boundary of the marriage relationship. Sex is perfectly normal and permissible in marriage. Sex outside of the husband and wife relationship destroys both heart, home, health, Church, and the nation. The husband or wife that is unfaithful destroys the marriage. Far to many homes are broken today because of the immoral sexual appetite of the husband or wife. The marriage that remains faithful and committed stands a greater chance of surviving rather than self destructing. (4) God Designed Oneness To Insure The Well Being Of Both Husband And Wife. In Genesis 2:23-24 the Bible states that "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh". Verse 24 declares them to be "one flesh". Whenever you view your husband / wife as being your own flesh you greatly reduce, if not eliminate, the harsh stabbing words, pouting, anger, and abuse that often erupts in the home. Ephesians 5:28-29 states that, "So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the lord the Church". Each person tends to take good care of his or her own body. You feed it, clothe it, warm it, protect it, and provide for it. Therefore, when you think of your husband or wife as being your own flesh you go to any length to meet whatever need that you possible can. You are concerned about their well being. Remember, God is the designer of oneness in the marital relationship. Do all you can to see that His design is instituted in your heart and in your home.
