No Longer Two
I have read and heard many times, as I am sure you have, the passage in the book of Matthew when Jesus, quoting directly from Genesis, responded to one of the Pharisees questions saying:
“Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ “and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Matthew 19:4-6 referencing Genesis 1:27 and 2:24
This passage is an outline and design in which Jesus tells us about what marriage is. As I more recently studied this scripture it brought to mind a few details I have always wondered about. First, how - how can two become one? Second, what distinguishes a marriage that is recognized by God from every other union that is labeled as a marriage created by man? And third, on a more personal level, how do I recognize my mate and know that our relationship would be God ordained?
Through meditating and subsequent revelation of God's word, I have found that the answers to these questions lie in one Person – the One given by Jesus to those who believe in Him – His promised Gift to be with us forever – the person, Holy Spirit.
Taking a look at my first question, read with me and ponder the scripture from the book of Malachi below:
Did He not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union?
Malachi 2:15
Wow! Did you catch that? This is it! The Holy Spirit is the person who makes them one! How? By giving them a portion of Himself - this gift - this impartation - is what makes them one. This is what Jesus revealed to me when He said the man and woman are no longer two but one. It is not the man's spirit joining to the woman’s spirit that makes them one; it is the Holy Spirit giving them a portion that makes them one in their union. Isn’t’ this amazing?
Now moving along to my second question - what kind of marriage or union is recognized by God? Again, I found that the answer lies in the work of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus explains to us in the book of John about who the Holy Spirit is:
But when the Helper comes whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth whom proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. John 15: 26
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth: for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. John 16: 13 –14
When the Holy Spirit gives a portion to this union, He is the one that testifies on earth and in heaven on behalf of the marriage that it is a true union of God. He only testifies to the Truth and will always come in line with the Word of God - He knows nothing but the Truth! He is in this union and that is why Jesus said for us not to separate what He joined together by His Holy Spirit. Jesus acknowledges this marriage union – where His Holy Spirit has made them one. This union is ready to do the kingdom of God’s work!
So finally about that mate…how will you know?…all you have to do is release your worry as I did and look to the Holy Spirit to confirm to both of you that this union is of God! I see Holy Spirit as the ultimate matchmaker and cross check. He is involved in every step of Jesus’s design of marriage. He takes what is known by Jesus about us and declares it to you, just as the Word states in the book of John that we went over earlier. Your life is known by God and the Holy Spirit is here to bring that revelation to you and this includes your mate. So acknowledge the Holy Spirit, be sensitive to Him and ask Him to guide your life in this and every area. Take heart – believe His Word today – it is ready right now for you to walk in!
We can see now from beginning to end, that the Holy Spirit is an integral part of the marriage union. From confirming to believers who their mate is, to bonding the two as one and then continually testifying before heaven and hearth that this marriage is of God - the Holy Spirit is there the whole time!
No longer two - yes indeed - by the Holy Spirit - Amen!
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Jessica M.
Writer
Jessica is a writer at BeLoved.