1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV) And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
Christian marriage is a covenant and is founded on all three kinds of love: Philia love, a friendship kind of love; Eros love, a romantic and sensual love, both of which are conditional; and Agape love, a self-giving and unconditional love.
We must never hurt our marriage partner, whether verbally or physically, but honour our marriage vows and love them. Love keeps no record of wrong. The Bible says that God remembers our sins no more. Therefore, bringing up the past and using it as a weapon or ammunition to attack each other is wrong. When we repeat a matter, the wound will never heal, ultimately rot and break the relationship. On the other hand, when we do not repeat a conflict, it will allow the wound and the relationship to mend.
Galatians 6:2 (NKJV) Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
We should never allow our spouse to go through life’s challenges alone, including sickness, childbirth, miscarriage, joblessness, lawsuits or work challenges. During these critical times, the partner should drop everything, be at their spouse’s side, and pray for them. Your covenant partner can stand in faith and pray in agreement with you daily. After God, our spouse takes top priority in our lives. Therefore, stop what you are doing to help them if your spouse needs it, just like the Good Samaritan did.
Ephesians 5:31 (Amplified) For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined [and be faithfully devoted] to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.
Covenant partners will also look out for and protect each other. Because in-laws can sometimes be intrusive in a marriage, critical of the spouse, or challenging to live with, we must shield our spouse from possible unhealthy remarks and defend them when needed. We are to make a conscious decision to cleave to our spouse and not let our parents come between us. Couples should also clarify to their parents that family decisions are to be made solely on their own.
Covenant partners honour their commitment and stay true to their word. Love your spouse based on their love languages because love dies when the emotional reservoir is empty.
Finally, we need to be patient with each other, extend grace and pray for each other. The Christian marriage is a threefold cord with God holding us firmly together. Our love for each other will get stronger as we draw closer to God because the nature of God is love.
Sermon Series： Before You Say “I Do” (Lesson 3 & 4)
爱你的伴侣
彼得前书 4:8 最要紧的是彼此切实相爱。因为爱能遮掩许多的罪。
基督徒的婚姻是一种盟约，建立在三种爱的基础上：Philia之爱，是一种友谊之爱； Eros之爱，是一种浪漫、感性的爱，这两者都是有条件的； 和Agape的爱，是一种自我奉献和无条件的爱。
我们绝不能伤害我们的婚姻伴侣，无论是在口头上还是身体上，而是要履行我们的婚姻誓言并爱他们。 爱是不计算人的恶。 圣经说神不再记念我们的罪。 因此，旧事重提，并将其作为相互攻击的武器或弹药是错误的。 当我们旧事重提时，伤口就永远不会愈合，并最终会腐烂并关系破裂。反之，当我们不再重复冲突时，伤口和关系就能得到修复。
加拉太书6:2 你们各人的重担要互相担当，如此就完全了基督的律法。
我们绝不应该让我们的配偶独自经历生活的挑战，包括疾病、分娩、流产、失业、诉讼或工作上的挑战。 在这些关键时刻，伴侣应该放下一切，陪在配偶身边，为他们祷告。 你的盟约伴侣可以凭信心站稳并每天与你同心地祷告。 除了上帝，我们的配偶是我们生命中的重中之重。 因此，如果你的配偶需要帮助，请停下你手头上的事来帮他，就像好撒玛利亚人所做的那样。
以弗所书5:31 为这个缘故，人要离开父母，与妻子连合，二人成为一体。
盟约伙侣也要相互照顾和保护。 因为有时会对方的父母会介入婚姻、批评配偶或着很难相处，因此我们一定要保护我们的配偶免受不健康言论的影响，并在有需要时为他们辩护。 我们要做出深思熟虑的决定，与我们的配偶紧密相联，不要让父母介入我们之间。 夫妻还应该跟父母说清楚，家庭的决定只能由他们自己做出。
盟约伙侣履行他们的承诺并让他们的话保持真实。 根据爱的语言来爱你的配偶，因为当情感库空时，爱就会消亡。 最后，我们需要对彼此有耐心，延伸恩典并为彼此祷告。 基督徒的婚姻是一条三股织成的绳索，由上帝将我们紧紧地靠在一起。 当我们与神越亲近时，我们对彼此的爱就会变得越强，因为神的本质就是爱。
讲章系列： 步向红毯之前（第3课和第4课）
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