Biblical Teachings on the Marriage Relationship (4) By Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Biblical Teachings on the Marriage Relationship (4)

Dear Reader,

Jesus says: The two will become one flesh.  The man and woman who enter into the marriage bond become one flesh and are no longer two, but one entity.  This week, I will be sharing on Two Becoming One Flesh.

God intended that the married couple Shall become one flesh (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-5). The physical union of man and wife is good in God’s sight (Hebrews 13:4). It must not be thought unwholesome. Fornication –sexual intercourse outside wedlock– is sinful, and God will judge fornicators and adulterers.

Apostle Paul develops this concept by teaching that husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.  He who loves his wife loves himself.  After all, no one ever hates his own body, but he feeds and cares for it (Ephesians 5:28–29).  Paul is saying that a wife is actually a part of her husband’s body—she is of his flesh and blood.  He illustrates this mystery by revealing a profound truth that when a man loves his wife, he loves himself for she is a part of him.

It follows that when a man hates his wife, he hates his own body.  Paul then quotes Genesis 2:24: For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh, acknowledging that it is a mystery.  There is something so deep and wonderful in the marriage bond that we need spiritual insight fully to understand its divine significance.  The union of husband and wife is used in the Scriptures as a symbol of the unity between Christ and His Church. Christ is the Bridegroom and the Church is His bride.  Paul says that the Church is a part of Christ; we are members of the body of Christ and Christ is the head of the Church.  In the same way, the wife is part of the body of her husband.  This union between Christ and his Church is based on the covenant promise, sealed in His blood, that He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).

After a man and woman become one flesh by marriage, they can never again be the same as they were before this transformation takes place.  Thus, Jesus explains that marriage involves three persons: a man, a woman, and the One who in the beginning created mankind as male and female.  This union changes the relation­ship of a man and his wife with other family members.  Indeed, the biblical statement ‘they become one flesh’ affirms that just as blood relations are one’s flesh and blood, so marriage creates a similar kinship relation between husband and wife.  They are as closely related as a brother and sister.

The fundamental principle is that the one-flesh marriage bond is indissoluble and even divorce cannot break it. Moreover, the family relationships between children and their grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins are not changed by divorce; they remain each other’s flesh and blood, and are related for life.  So, Jesus made a profound statement when He said they are one, thereby confirming the indissoluble nature of the marriage bond—the consequences of marriage are for life.  As the Apostle Paul says, “By law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive…” (Romans 7:2).  This is why it is so important for husband and wife to be faithful to each other.

The one-flesh union is complete when the couple consummates their marriage union by sexual intercourse.  Husband and wife lovingly share their sexual life, accepting that their sexual union is likely to be blessed by the birth of children.  They accept with joy the children that result, for they are the natural, legitimate products of their union—clear evidence that they are truly one flesh.

God’s grace to solidify your marriage is available when you surrender your life to Christ. This is by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you are ready for this new birth experience, please say this prayer: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today.  I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God.  I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).