Understanding a Biblical covenant will help us understand a marriage covenant. A Biblical blood covenant between two parties was the closest, most enduring, solemn and sacred of all contracts. It absolutely could not be broken, and promised to give the other party your life, love and protection forever…till death do you part. It was a binding and unbreakable agreement based on blood resulting in an absolute union of two parties in which all assets, talents, debts and liabilities were mutually shared.
God’s covenant is everlasting, and He will never go back on His word of the covenant. He expects the same of us as His children.
Genesis 17:19 …I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant
The marriage covenant reflects God’s covenant with us, which many have forgotten or compromised.
Time and again, the Scriptures describe marriage as a covenant.
Malachi 2:14-15 Because the Lord was witness [to the covenant made at your marriage] between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously and to whom you were faithless. Yet she is your companion and the wife of your covenant [made by your marriage vows]. And did not God make [you and your wife] one [flesh]? Did not One make you and preserve your spirit alive? And why [did God make you two] one? Because He sought a godly offspring [from your union]. Therefore take heed to yourselves, and let no one deal treacherously and be faithless to the wife of his youth.
A Christian marriage is a covenant, not a contract. It is a sacred covenant witnessed and guaranteed by God Himself. It is unconditional, unlimited and unending. It is about trust more than terms, character more than convenience, giving more than receiving. It reflects the very character of God.
Understanding the meaning of covenant will help us understand the importance of being ONE and this will really strengthen our marriage. We are ONE at all times. Therefore, it is very important that we are not unequally yoked with an unbeliever who doesn’t understand or have the same values or beliefs in a marriage covenant.
2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
When you are bound by covenant, you refuse to walk away during the most difficult situations and trying moments of your lives or marriage. A covenant is the only secure foundation upon which a happy, fulfilling and permanent marriage can be built. We will be able to experience how God is able to unite two lives into “one flesh”.
Jesus Christ should be our reference for love. The greatest gift you can give your spouse is to be a genuine Christian who reflects Christ in your relationship. God, through Jesus has cut a covenant with you. The Holy Spirit in you can energise and equip you to keep the covenant with your spouse.
Sermon Series: Marriage covenant
婚姻是一个盟约
理解圣经的盟约将帮助我们理解婚姻盟约。在所有合约中，圣经里血的盟约是双方最亲密、最持久、最庄严和神圣的。它绝对不能被打破，并承诺给对方你的生命，爱和保护到永远…直到死亡把你分隔。这是一个有约束力和牢不可破的协议，用血立的关系，双方形成了绝对的联盟，所有资产、才干、债务和责任都是相互分享的。
神的约是永永远远的，祂决不食言。祂期望祂的孩子和祂一样
创世记17:19我要与他坚定所立的约，作他后裔永远的约
婚姻之盟约反映了神与我们所立的约，许多人已经忘记或妥协了。
圣经一再将婚姻描述为一种盟约。
玛拉基书2:14-15你们还说：「这是为什么呢？」因耶和华在你和你幼年所娶的妻中间作见证。她虽是你的配偶，又是你盟约的妻，你却以诡诈待她。 虽然神有灵的余力能造多人，他不是单造一人吗？为何只造一人呢？乃是他愿人得虔诚的后裔。所以当谨守你们的心，谁也不可以诡诈待幼年所娶的妻。
基督教的婚姻是一种盟约，不是合约。这是神亲自见证和担保的圣约。它是无条件的、无限的、永无止境的。它是关乎信任而不是基于条件，品格多于便利，给予多于接收。它反映了神的品格。
理解盟约的意义将有助于我们理解成为一体的重要性，这将真正巩固我们的婚姻。我们在任何时候都是一体的。因此，重要的是我们不应该与非信徒在婚姻盟约里同负一轭因他们不明白或抱有同样的价值观和信念。
哥林多后书6:14你们和不信的原不相配，不要同负一轭。义和不义有什么相交呢？光明和黑暗有什么相通呢？
当你在盟约里时，你拒绝在生命或婚姻中最困难的情况和最艰难的时刻离开。盟约是建立幸福、圆满和永久婚姻的唯一可靠基础。我们将能够体验神如何将两个生命合为“一体”。
耶稣基督应该是我们爱的参照。你能给你的配偶最大的礼物就是成为一个真正的基督徒，在你们的关系中反映基督。神，借着耶稣与你立约。圣灵在你里面，可以激励和装备你与你的配偶坚守这盟约。
讲章系列：婚姻盟约