Oneness

Jesus showed those who wanted to see, just what God is like. He said to his disciples, “Have I been with you for so long, and yet you have not known me? He who has seen me has seen the Father. The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father, who dwells in me does the work.” He had come in His Father’s name with God’s authority, because He came to fulfil God’s initiative to display the Divine characteristics of love, mercy, grace, kindness, compassion and suchlike. For he was God’s only begotten Son. He lived, died and rose again to bring us to the Father and give us an opportunity to become members of the family of God. “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honour and glory and blessing.” This was his own sacrifice, and in so doing he would unlock the chains of sin and death and set His people free (John 14:9-10, Rev. 5:12).

God formed Adam from the ground and then formed Eve from Adam. Eve came from Adam, thus Adam and Eve were originally one. When a man and woman leave their parents and are joined together in marriage, they become one flesh. They are again one, denoting a very close and intimate relationship. They are made for each other – this is what God intended. Though the beginning of marriage is clearly marked by a man leaving his parents and being united to his wife, no end is indicated; clearly it is intended to be a lifelong relationship. No other partners are mentioned, marriage is with one husband or wife. A man or woman cannot be one flesh with many people. Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immorality (Rom.7:2, Hebrews 13:4).

Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? asks the prophet. Will a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Will a young lion cry out of his den, if he has caught nothing? If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? If there is calamity in a city, will not the Lord have done it? Those who read the words of the prophets will learn God’s plans from them. Surely the Lord does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. More than that, like Jeremiah at a later stage, Amos was unable to keep quiet when God had given him a message. A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy? There is a simple Biblical test. If what the prophet claims really happens then he really is a prophet of God.

Bro Melusi Ndlovu (Kwe Kwe, Zimbabwe)