The specific concept of "the two becoming one" is translated as "become one flesh." This phrase originates in Genesis and is quoted four times in the New Testament. Genesis 2:24: "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." Matthew 19:5-6: "and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." Mark 10:8: "‘and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh." 1 Corinthians 6:16: "Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, 'The two will become one flesh.'" Ephesians 5:31: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." To un...

Can you connect with the following scenario? When two people A and B are discussing and arguing on a topic, when person A is asking a question to person B, instead of answering the question, person B will ask why person A is angry. person A may say they are angry for some reasons, which can be explained later, but insists person B to answer the question that was asked by person A. But person B again asks why the person A is angry. If so, do you know why this is happening and how to navigate through if you are the person A or person B? If you are curious to understand, following is a summary of an analysis. Can you read and reflect and tell if there are any parts which you may not be able to agree with? The discussion scenario reveals a classic, highly recognizable breakdown in dialogue. What is being describing is a power struggle over the "frame" of the conversation. Following is a diagnosis of the dynamics at play, breaking down the behaviors of both individuals and the und...

Have you ever messed up? Really messed up, with consequences that ripple through your family? I certainly have. And I want to share a recent, deeply personal story about a missed deadline, a moment of blame, and the incredible grace of living by faith in Christ. Just yesterday, I faced one of those "Oh no!" moments. I had missed the application deadline for the IIT entrance examination for my daughter. The weight of it was immense, and my first, very human, reaction was to look for someone else to blame. My mind instantly went to my wife – "Why didn't she track the deadline?" But then, something shifted. My spirit, anchored in Christ, intervened. It wasn't a booming voice, but a gentle, firm conviction: "Own this. This is on you. You weren't diligent in tracking it." And then, another profound realization hit me, straight from the heart of biblical truth. As a husband, I am called to be the head of my wife, not in a sense of superiority, but in...

Recently a brother asked how a lie in Exodus 1:15-21 has been accepted and rewarded by God. There was also a follow-on question on any other instances in the bible like this. I found this question very interesting and thought it deserves a decent study and a little bit elaborated response. Thus, here we go: Exodus 1:15-21 (NIV) "The king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 'When you are helping the Hebrew women to give birth, watch them as they deliver. If it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.' The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, 'Why have you done this? Why have you allowed the boys to live?' The midwives answered Pharaoh, 'Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.' So God was kind to the midwives a...

My understanding of author's intentions for writing the book of Ephesians is to comprehensively teach believers about (A) God's work on the cross, (B) their identity in Christ, and (C) establish administration for their community.  (A) God's work on the cross: 1. To reveal the mystery of God’s will to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. By Eph 1:9-10 2. To illustrate salvation as a gift of God’s grace received through faith and not a result of human works. By Eph 2:8-9 3. To showcase how Gentiles and Jews have been reconciled into one new humanity and one body. By Eph 2:14-16, 3:6 (B) Believers identity in Christ: 4. To illustrate the believer's spiritual wealth, adoption, and glorious inheritance found in Jesus. By Eph 1:3-5, 1:18 5. To strengthen believers with power and understanding of the immeasurable dimensions of Christ’s love. By Eph 3:16-19 6. To instruct believers to abandon their former way of life and "put on the new self...

The Apostle Paul's letter to the Colossians is a powerful message aimed at correcting false teachings and emphasizing the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. The church in Colossae was facing a syncretistic heresy, a blend of Jewish legalism, Gnostic philosophy, and possibly elements of local paganism. Author Intended Message of Colossians Paul's overarching message throughout Colossians is to present Jesus Christ as preeminent in all things. He counters the various heresies by declaring: The Deity and Supremacy of Christ Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, and in Him all things hold together (1:15-17). He is the head of the church, and in Him all the fullness of God dwells (1:18-19). The Sufficiency of Christ for Salvation and Sanctification  Believers have been made complete in Christ (2:10). Through His death, resurrection, and ascension, Christ has provided complete redemption, forgiveness of sins, and reconciliation with God (1:13-14...

Several years back I was not in peace with the instructions from my manager. I struggled a lot, performed passive aggressive behaviours, and attributed all of it to the harsh, unreasonable behaviours of my manager and the unbeliever status of my manager. But the grace of God overflowed for me. And, I was finally convicted by Holy Spirit to accept my misalignment to the faith in Christ. Subsequently, I studied the flow the authority, words, spirit, and alignment in the bible passages. In Christ, Authority, Words, Spirit, and Alignment are all inter-related and work closely to produce order and peace in our heart as well to our key stakehollders. The act of "taking deviations" or modifying instructions is rarely seen as creativity; it is often diagnosed as a spiritual misalignment. In the biblical framework,  Authority releases Words; the Spirit empowers the hearer to receive those Words; and this produces Alignment.  When one deviates, it breaks this ...