Ephesians 5:21-25, 31 (NKJV) Submitting to one another in the fear of God. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Saviour of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her… “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
In the Epistle to the church of Ephesus, God spoke through the Apostle Paul about how the husband should love the wife as himself. The husband is expected to lay down his life for his wife and love her as Christ loves the church. The husband and wife are to submit to each other in reverential fear of God. If we honour, love and worship God, we will want to walk in His will and His ways. Because it is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, the Word of God should guide us regarding everything in life, including the area of our marriage.
How we view marriage—as a covenant or a contract—will determine our behaviour. In the eyes of God, marriage is not a contract but a covenant. Therefore, as Christians, we should not believe in or practise individualism and contractual marriage as the world does. Instead, we have laid down our rights, privileges, conditions, and escape clauses. We will not ask to quit or divorce our spouse despite differences and challenges in the marriage. A contractual marriage mentality is not concerned about responsibilities because it is centred on the self.
The marriage covenant between two parties is the closest, enduring, solemn, and sacred of all contracts. When you enter a blood covenant with someone, you promise to give them your life, love, and protection forever, till death do you part. It is a binding, unbreakable agreement based on blood resulting in the absolute union of two parties in which all assets, talents, debts, and liability are mutually shared. A covenant is the only secure foundation for a happy, fulfilling, and permanent marriage. It is a lifelong commitment.
God is the witness at the marriage ceremony where the covenant vow is uttered. Therefore, He expects us to honour the vow of the marriage covenant seriously. God and His Word are One. Thus, our words should also represent us, and God will hold us accountable for the word of commitment and vow uttered. Love is the new commandment in the New Testament. Therefore, God expects us to love our spouse.
Sermon Series：Before You Say I Do (Session 7&8)
爱你的配偶
以弗所书 5: 21-25,31 又当存敬畏基督的心，彼此顺服。你们作妻子的，当顺服自己的丈夫，如同顺服主。因为丈夫是妻子的头，如同基督是教会的头，他又是教会全体的救主。教会怎样顺服基督，妻子也要怎样凡事顺服丈夫。你们作丈夫的，要爱你们的妻子，正如基督爱教会，为教会舍己。为这个缘故，人要离开父母，与妻子连合，二人成为一体。
在给以弗所教会的书信中，神透过使徒保罗传达了丈夫当如何爱妻子如同爱自己。丈夫当为妻子舍命，爱妻子像基督爱教会一样。丈夫和妻子要在对神的敬畏中彼此顺服。如果我们荣耀神、爱神、敬拜神；我们就愿意遵行祂的旨意和道路。因为神的话语是我们脚前的灯、路上的光，指引我们生活中的一切，包括我们的婚姻。
我们如何看待婚姻—它是盟约还是契约—会决定我们的行为。在神的眼里，婚姻不是合约，而是盟约。因此，作为基督徒，我们不相信也不奉行世俗里所行的个人主义和合约式的婚姻。相反，我们放下了自己的权利、待遇、条件和免责条款。即使婚姻出现分歧和挑战时，我们不会放弃或离婚。合约式婚姻的心态不会在意责任，因为它在很大程度上是以自我为中心的。
两个人的婚约是最亲密、持久、庄严和神圣的契约。当与某人订立血约时，你就承诺了永远给予他（她）你的生命、爱和保护，直至死将你们分开。这是一份以血为基础的具有约束力、牢不可破的协议，是双方的绝对结合：所有资产、才能、债务和责任都由双方共同承担。盟约是建立幸福、美满和永久婚姻的唯一可靠基础。这是一个终身的承诺。
婚礼上，新人宣誓时，神是这婚姻的见证人。因此，祂希望我们认真遵守婚约誓言。神和衪的话是一体的，因此我们的话语也应代表自己。神会让我们对承诺和誓言负责的。爱是《新约》中的新诫命。所以，神希望我们爱我们的配偶。
讲章系列：步入红毯之前（第 7 和第 8 课）
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