ODJ: as one

July 4, 2015 

READ: Ephesians 5:15-33 

As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one” (v.31).

Starting as dancing droplets on the windshield, the rain increased in intensity as we drove down the road. My husband turned on the windshield wipers but then quickly turned them off. He did this over and over. When I looked at him quizzically, he explained that the passenger side wiper had stopped moving in sync with the one on the driver’s side. Turning them on long enough for both to move would have resulted in them striking against each other.

Looking the globe over, we can find any number of cultural customs that seek to influence—and even in some cases dictate—the interactions between a man and a woman, and especially those of a husband and wife. All of them, however, could be better shaped by this principle found in Scripture: man and woman were created to live and move in unity.

Like two windshield wipers created to work in partnership, a husband and wife can be stronger and more effective when together (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). But two individuals choosing to marry may only set the stage for unity; its fulfilment rests on the will of both individuals. Covenant relationship, a spiritual principle authored by God, truly begins with the surrender of our individual rights so that His will might be the focus (Galatians 2:20). Before we can fulfil the command to “submit to one another”, we must first submit ourselves to Christ (Ephesians 5:21; 1 Peter 5:6).

An intimate relationship with God based in love and trust can lead to healthy relationships with others. And regardless of marital status, the call to unity is for the whole church (Psalm 133:1; John 17:11; 1 Peter 5:5). By God’s grace and power, all of us—male and female, young and old—can be one.

—Regina Franklin

365-day-plan: Matthew 7:13-29

MORE
Read Philippians 2:1-15 and consider how you can begin building unity with other believers in Jesus. 
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How can you retain your unique personality and calling and yet walk in unity with other believers? How can your oneness with other believers reflect the loving relationships within the Trinity?