Editor's Note: The following is a report on the practical applications of Jim and Sarah Sumner's book, Practicing Oneness in Marriage, (IVP Books, 2008).

You’re two separate and unique individuals. Yet, through your marriage, you and your spouse can become one with each other. The more you embrace the mystery of two becoming one, the more you’ll each grow stronger as people and closer to God.

Here’s how you can become one with your spouse:

Marry Christ first. Each of you must be wedded to Jesus Christ – through a relationship with Him as your Lord and Savior – before you can be truly faithful to each other in marriage. Invite Christ to take His rightful place as the leader of your marriage.

Work together as a head and a body. You and your spouse are meant to work together as closely different parts of the same body function. The husband is the head, and the wife is the body, but both are equally important. Understanding that you’re both “one flesh” helps you to see that what affects one of you affects the other. When the husband loves his wife and sacrifices for her, he is benefitting himself as well, because she is a part of him. When the wife respects her husband and submits to him, she is benefitting herself as well, because he is a part of her. This biblical model of marriage shows what Christ’s relationship to the church looks like.

Honor wise boundaries. Build oneness between you and your spouse by making two important commitments: the husband deciding not to hide his sexual battles from his wife, and the wife deciding to dress modestly in public.

Develop strong friendships with people of the opposite sex. Give each other the freedom to pursue healthy friendships with opposite sex people – those based in spiritual, not sexual, love. Get to know each other’s friends. Set and respect wise boundaries to keep your opposite sex friendships healthy, and hold each other accountable to those boundaries.

Answer the husband’s call to cleave. If you’re a husband, cleave to your wife by prioritizing her above your work, hobbies, and other family members. Be sexually faithful to her.

Answer the wife’s call to submit. If you’re a wife, submit to your husband by choosing to support his decisions after giving your input – as a way of expressing your love to both God and your husband.

Lift each other higher. Avoid power struggles by focusing on what you can do for your spouse instead of on what you want your spouse to do for you. Aim to love your spouse, each day, the best you can, rather than dwelling on how you hope your spouse will love you. In the process, your efforts will inspire and motivate your spouse to love you, and each of you will keep rising higher in your relationship – closer to God.