The Two Shall Become One
Pastor Rob Scribner and grandson
A Mystery, A Promise, A Blessing, A Possibility: One!
By Pastor Rob Scribner
In Ephesians 5:31-32, Paul tells us that two becoming one in marriage is one of God’s great mysteries. How can this be?
First, we must define some terms like mystery. A mystery is something that we do not immediately know or understand. It has that special quality of the unknown. When God tells us it’s a mystery, we can be sure that it is only solvable with Him.
He knows the answer, but the process is so important and wonderful, He chose that we solve the mystery by following His way.
And the mystery of becoming one has a few clues. In Ephesians 3: 2-6 it says: “Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.
“The mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. We become one body joined by the gospel, Jews and Gentiles. It is made known by revelation.”
More terms: gospel, revelation and promise. Is it all going to be that difficult?
Yes, and know!
The Spirit is the ingredient that is absolutely necessary. You must know Him. Without the Spirit we seem to be lost. The mystery is in knowing Him.
Ephesians 3:14-21 says: “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Again, more terms: family, inner being, love that surpasses knowledge, beyond imagination and the church.
The mystery of oneness seems to center around a spiritual process that relates to our family, church and other relationships. It’s in these experiences that God reveals a mysterious understanding of what it means to be one.
The first appearance of oneness comes when God initiates the idea of marriage.
The two “shall become one flesh” in covenant with God.
The significant necessity is that the man leaves his father and mother and is joined with his wife. I don’t read anywhere in the Bible that God tells a man to leave his family except for this reason.
A whole new tribe, family, nation, and kingdom all begin with a man and a woman becoming one flesh.
Herein is a mysterious clue. Man leaves his natural birthplace, the natural family God put him into. He is born again spiritually into a new family with his wife by covenant with God.
Malachi 2:15 says: “Has not the Lord made them one? In flesh and spirit they are His. And why one? Because He was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.”
Guard your spirit, why? Because that is what this is: a spiritual union.
Oneness is a spiritual mystery. Our joining in the action of the Spirit with others begins with our physical family and matures as we covenant with God in other people relationships that are committed to Him. Friendships. Ministry teams.
But especially in the way of God’s promise and blessing in His body the Church, and in marriage.