Call for Faithfulness in Marriage
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The call for faithfulness in marriage is a central theme in the Bible, emphasizing the sanctity and exclusivity of the marital covenant. This call is rooted in the creation narrative and is reiterated throughout Scripture, underscoring the importance of fidelity as a reflection of God's covenantal relationship with His people.

Biblical Foundation

The foundation for faithfulness in marriage is established in Genesis, where God institutes marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Genesis 2:24 states, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This verse highlights the intended permanence and exclusivity of the marital bond.

Old Testament Teachings

The Old Testament contains numerous exhortations to marital faithfulness. The seventh commandment, "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14), explicitly prohibits infidelity, underscoring its seriousness. The book of Proverbs frequently warns against the dangers of adultery, portraying it as a path to destruction. Proverbs 5:18-19 encourages delight in one's spouse: "May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth... may you ever be captivated by her love."

The prophet Malachi also addresses marital faithfulness, linking it to the covenantal relationship between God and His people. Malachi 2:14-16 states, "The LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth... So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth."

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus reaffirms the sanctity of marriage and the call to faithfulness. In Matthew 19:4-6 , Jesus cites Genesis, saying, "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' 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 man not separate."

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the call to marital fidelity in his epistles. In Ephesians 5:25-33 , Paul instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church, emphasizing sacrificial love and commitment. He writes, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her... each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."

Spiritual Significance

Faithfulness in marriage is not merely a social or legal obligation but a spiritual one. It reflects the faithfulness of God to His covenant with humanity. The marriage relationship is often used as a metaphor for the relationship between Christ and the Church, as seen in Ephesians 5. This parallel underscores the depth of commitment and love expected in marriage.

Consequences of Unfaithfulness

The Bible also addresses the consequences of unfaithfulness in marriage. Adultery is depicted as a sin that not only harms the individuals involved but also disrupts the community and dishonors God. In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 , Paul warns, "Flee from sexual immorality... Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

Conclusion

The call for faithfulness in marriage is a profound biblical principle that underscores the sacredness of the marital covenant. It serves as a reflection of God's unwavering faithfulness and love for His people, calling believers to uphold the sanctity of marriage in their own lives.
Subtopics

Call

Call: Personal by Christ

Call: To Special Religious Duty of Abraham

Call: To Special Religious Duty,

Call: To Special Religious Duty: Aaron and his Sons

Call: To Special Religious Duty: All Who are Called of God

Call: To Special Religious Duty: Amos

Call: To Special Religious Duty: Apostles

Call: To Special Religious Duty: Cyrus

Call: To Special Religious Duty: Gideon

Call: To Special Religious Duty: Jehu

Call: To Special Religious Duty: Joshua

Call: To Special Religious Duty: Moses

Call: To Special Religious Duty: Paul

Call: To Special Religious Duty: Samuel

Call: To Special Religious Duty: Solomon

Call: To Special Religious Duty: The Rich Young Man

The Call of God by Christ

The Call of God by his Gospel

The Call of God by his Ministers

The Call of God by his Spirit

The Call of God by his Works

The Call of God is from Darkness

The Call of God: Addressed to All

The Call of God: Blessedness of Receiving

The Call of God: Condemnation

The Call of God: Destruction

The Call of God: Effectual to Saints

The Call of God: Illustrated

The Call of God: Most Reject

The Call of God: Partakers of, Justified

The Call of God: Praise God For

The Call of God: Rejection by God

The Call of God: Rejection of, Leads to Delusion

The Call of God: Rejection of, Leads to Judicial Blindness

The Call of God: Temporal Judgments

The Call of God: To Man Is of Grace

The Call of God: To Man Is: According to the Purpose of God

The Call of God: To Man Is: Heavenly

The Call of God: To Man Is: High

The Call of God: To Man Is: Holy

The Call of God: To Man Is: To Eternal Life

The Call of God: To Man Is: To Fellowship With Christ

The Call of God: To Man Is: To Glory and Virtue

The Call of God: To Man Is: To Holiness

The Call of God: To Man Is: To Liberty

The Call of God: To Man Is: To Peace

The Call of God: To Man Is: To the Eternal Glory of Christ

The Call of God: Walk Worthy of

The Call of God: Withdrawal of the Means of Grace

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Call for Faithfulness
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