Faithfulness in marriage.

[surrendersacrifice]

Should not we be faithful in our marriage, even if our spouse is not?

God always stays faithful to His covenant with us. When we were unfaithful to Him, He brought us healing by sacrificing His own life.   The Lord told Hosea (Hosea 3:1), to return to his wife although she was an adulteress.  God further told him to love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they were unfaithful to Him.

[ibTina]

Should not we be faithful in our marriage, even if our spouse is not?

God always stays faithful to His covenant with us. When we were unfaithful to Him, He brought us healing by sacrificing His own life.   The Lord told Hosea (Hosea 3:1), to return to his wife although she was an adulteress.  God further told him to love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they were unfaithful to Him.

Yes... one should stay faithful even if the other partner is not. 2 wrongs do not make it right or give it an excuss to behave in such manner.
    yes.. it may be hard to stay with the cheating mate. but with the Love of the Lord.. "all things are possible". And the scripture you gave is great.

[airIam2worship]

Amen Tina, as painful as it may be for the injured spouse, I believe, that the couple should both go to Marriage Counseling, preferably through their Pastor. And if the injured spouse feels he/she can definitely work things out then so be it, if however the cheating spouse still refuses to stop, commiting adultery though, I don't see why the injured spouse should be bound to that marriage. The cheating spouse broke the marriage covenant and as Jesus said that is the only grounds for divorce.

Mt 5:31  It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

Mt 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

WBN

 
Our blessed Saviour still proceeds in vindicating and clearing the seventh commandment from the corrupt glosses of the Pharisees. Almighty God had tolerated the Jews, in case of uncleanness, to put away their wives by a bill of divorce, De 24:1
 
Hereupon the Pharisees maintained it lawful to put away the wife upon every slight occasion.  This abuse Christ corrects; and shows that divorce, except in case of adultery, is a certain breach of the seventh commandment.
 
Learn, 1. That so indissoluble is the marriage-covenant betwixt two persons, that nothing but adultery, which violates the bands of marriage, can dissolve or disannul it.
 
Learn, 2. When persons are unjustly put away, it is unlawful for them to marry to any other, or for others knowingly to marry to them.


Mt 5:27 ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

Mt 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

God institutionalized Marriage to God it is as a blood covenant, He expects the husband and the wife to remain faithful one to another.

A husband is commanded to love his wife as Christ loves the Church

 Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
 Eph 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.


If a man loves his wife as Christ loves the Church, he would not commit adultery, this also applies to the wife, who is to love and reverance her husband

 Eph 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

[Brother Jerry]

Amen!

Being the man of the house if my wife were to cheat on me with another man I would also have to reflect upon my walk with Christ.  I know and have posted before that if a man were walking right with Christ then the wife, if also saved, would follow that man to the ends of the earth.  Their relationship will be on a level where sexual gratification is no longer the primary focus of the relationship.  Their focus will be on Jesus. 

In situations where both are saved and one is sinning, once realized and confessed to Jesus the sin is forgiven.  And a correct walk can be started.  And if the hurt spouse is also enjoying a relationship with Christ then the Holy Spirit will move in that person and help them along as well.  Praise God for that.

No matter the situation if even one of the people involved is letting Christ lead and guide them and handles the situation with prayer and acceptance then Jesus will not let that person down and they will end up in a better situation than before.  Even if that is a divorced situation.  Jesus will strengthen them throughout the trial.

Sincerely
Brother Jerry

[airIam2worship]

Amen Brother Jerry.

God considers marriage so sacred that He  compares Jesus as being the Husband and the Church being His Bride.

God also for this reason warns against being unequally yoked with an unbeliever, and unbeliever could pull a weak or new Christian away from God. That would be as bad as adultery, in the Bible it is also reffered to fornication. The words fornication, and adultery actually mean the same.

[-foc-]

Should not we be faithful in our marriage, even if our spouse is not?

God always stays faithful to His covenant with us. When we were unfaithful to Him, He brought us healing by sacrificing His own life.   The Lord told Hosea (Hosea 3:1), to return to his wife although she was an adulteress.  God further told him to love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they were unfaithful to Him.

God told Hosea to take this wife for a reason.
This prophet has NOTHING to do with todays marriages but his life was a living allegory of Gods patience with a adulterous nation

The fact is no matter what gets presented about Hosea, GOD ENDED this covenant eventually (Zech 11:10-11)), showing that He himself is a divorcee, so to speak...which aligns perfectly with Jesus Christs (aka GOD) own exception for the same "apostacy' (adultery) against the marital covenant.

The ONLY way this Hosea arguement would even have a leg to stand on is if God had NOT ended the Mosiac covenant with Israel...and *IF* Jesus (aka GOD) had not given a clear exception for sexual immorality (porneia)

We shouldnt cheat on our spouse just because they do, but once put away for sexual sin, we are no longer married to them at all.

[Firelight]

Quoting surrrendersacrifice: Should not we be faithful in our marriage, even if our spouse is not?

Yes~  our covenant is not only to our spouse,  but also to God, who provided an example with His own heart,  for us to follow.  Even though God 'divorced' Israel for 'her' unfaithfulness,  Jerimiah records His heart:  'Return,  O backsliding children, saith Jehovah;  for I am a husband unto you...'  (Jer. 3:14).   In verse 8 of the same reference,  God had declared His divorce from Israel... yet remained 'bound' to 'her'.   

The Apostle Paul's teachings align with this as well in his statement to the Corinthians that IF seperation occurs,  the couple is to reconcilie or remain single,  with reconciliation in mind  (1 Corinthians 7:10-11).

I agree, ibTina~  with the Lord,  'ALL things are possible'.


 

[-foc-]

 

The Apostle Paul's teachings align with this as well in his statement to the Corinthians that IF seperation occurs,  the couple is to reconcilie or remain single,  with reconciliation in mind  (1 Corinthians 7:10-11).

Theres a bit more to the story in 1 Cor 7 than what is presented here.

http://divorceandremarriage.bravehost.com/1corstudy.html

[Firelight]

Hi FOC~

I followed the link you provided... and while I appreciate the study,  I respectfully disagree with your thought that 1 Cor. 7:10-11 is making a distinction to those with an unbelieving spouse.   

1 Cor. 7:10-11:  But to the married (italics mine) I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife shoud not leave her husband.  11) but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband, and that the husband should not divorce his wife.

Immediately following,  Paul speaks to those with unbelieving spouses (vs 12-16) as a seperate issue.   I don't see these verses as defining the 'married' people of verses 10-11.   

[-foc-]

Hi FOC~

I followed the link you provided... and while I appreciate the study,  I respectfully disagree with your thought that 1 Cor. 7:10-11 is making a distinction to those with an unbelieving spouse.   

1 Cor. 7:10-11:  But to the married (italics mine) I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife shoud not leave her husband.  11) but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband, and that the husband should not divorce his wife.

Immediately following,  Paul speaks to those with unbelieving spouses (vs 12-16) as a seperate issue.   I don't see these verses as defining the 'married' people of verses 10-11.   

Im not sure if we agree or disagree.
possibly you misunderstood what I have written.

Paul makes it very clear that his audience has changed to those who are UNequally yoked in verse 12....and states plainly that he has nothing from the Lord in this matter, but is speaking himself.

"But to the REST" is absolutely showing the the previous commandment is pertaining to that previous group, and that he is now laying out the rules for this new group.

It is safe to assume that the previous group MUST be a couple who are both believers (whom will BOTH obey God and Pauls instruction, hopefully) as this new group is those who are clearly NOT both believers (of whom at least one party will most likely not care at all what God or Paul has to say)

The way you worded your post, you seem to almost be agreeing with this idea...are you?

You said...

"Paul speaks to those with unbelieving spouses (vs 12-16) as a seperate issue.   I don't see these verses as defining the 'married' people of verses 10-11"

Unless Im somehow mistaking you, I agree 100% that there are two separate issues being dealt with here...marriage where are BOTH christians (these are BOTH commanded to remain unmarried or reconcile)...and to those whom are UNequally yoked (v12-16) to whom no commandment is given
...and they are told clearly that they are not in bondage to this union with this unbeliever who deserts


One thing that is pretty much absolute...in verse 12 Paul IS making a distinction between this new group and the group in v 10-11...."but  to the rest speak *I*, not the Lord" is more than proof of this.

And the final fact of the matter is that Paul is definitely showing that the believer is NOT in bondage to this deserting UNbeliever.
There IS some distinction being made there very clearly otherwise this would also apply to a couple who were BOTH believers where one has deserted as well.

IN verses 10-11 both are commanded NOT to leave (only two believers would even be willing to accept this instructions. Non believers for the most part arent going to care what a God they dont believe has to say) while in verses 12-16 we are dealing with a situation where the UNbeliever can leave and the believer isnt not in bondage ( a slave) to this union.
A slave not in bondage has no master.




There is more covered here
http://divorceandremarriage.bravehost.com/

[-foc-]

Additionally....if Im not understanding your post (it is worded a bit confusing) then its fine that you disagree with my understanding.

Ive spent enough time on this topic that Im very comfortable with my views at the present time.
We can discuss it further if  youd like or we can leave it at agreeing to disagree.....its your call

Hi FOC~

I followed the link you provided... and while I appreciate the study,  I respectfully disagree with your thought that 1 Cor. 7:10-11 is making a distinction to those with an unbelieving spouse.   

1 Cor. 7:10-11:  But to the married (italics mine) I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife shoud not leave her husband.  11) but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband, and that the husband should not divorce his wife.

Immediately following,  Paul speaks to those with unbelieving spouses (vs 12-16) as a seperate issue.   I don't see these verses as defining the 'married' people of verses 10-11.   

[-foc-]

In verse 8 of the same reference,  God had declared His divorce from Israel... yet remained 'bound' to 'her'.   

Additionally, on this point, this is only presenting part of the truth.

You seem to present that God was still 'bound' at that point.
But the fact is that He did indeed end up doing away with that covenant with Israel....

And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people. And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD. And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
(Zec 11:10-12)


At the point you are quoting from, yes God may have still bound Himself to that covenant...but it did not stay that way.

That covenant with the nation of Israel was ended over idolatry/harlotry....Any Jewish folks who come since the cross will come thru this new covenant....there is no other way at this point.

The point is that it is irrelevant to state that God was still 'bound' at that point in time....eventually that covenant was indeed ended over the adulterous actions of Israel.

[Firelight]

quoteing foc: The point is that it is irrelevant to state that God was still 'bound' at that point in time....eventually that covenant was indeed ended over the adulterous actions of Israel.

I see where you're coming from here.   The moment Adam sinned,  I think God had His plan of redemption already in mind.  Though it came at just the right time,  everything led up to that moment Jesus instituted His kingdom.   The law,  though it could not,  and does not save,  had it's purpose.  Israel had it's purpose... giving birth to it's Messiah.   I'm not sure the 'covenant of God's divorce'  with Israel completely severes them from Him.   One day they WILL accept Him as their Messiah. 

[-foc-]

  I'm not sure the 'covenant of God's divorce'  with Israel completely severes them from Him.   One day they WILL accept Him as their Messiah. 

This is very true.
And thats just it, these MUST accept their Messiah..they cannot come thru that covenant that was ended.

Romans speaks of a 'remnant' of Israel whom God has seemingly kept throughout the ages.
The masses were pretty much always out of step with God, in sin....but there has always been this remnant.

When Jesus came, this 'remnant' were those who accepted Him....and after the cross the remnant are those who still accept their messiah....maybe not at first, but at some point they will.

I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
(Rom 11:1-5)

He hasnt cast them away, there is always a remnant He has kept for Himself.
After the old covenant was ended tho, no one comes thru that economy put away.

Marriage being an allegorical example of our relationship to God, we see that He did put away a covenant for 'adulteries' of His beloved.

Its not an exact comparision....but neither do we marry millions of wives...so it would be hard to make the comparision any closer than to just accept that the 'husband' (God) did indeed end this covenant with His 'wife' (His beloved...Israel).

So God hasnt cast away Israel...they CAN stil come to Him...but only thru this new covenant Christ has made with His blood with His bride.

Additionally, we see that in Hebrews 6 and 10 that there is still an allowance for those who fall away (reject) this covenant after making themselves part of it...if they apostate themselves from Him.
In the same manner a wife can 'apostate' (with adultery) herself from her marriage covenant.

If we do WILLFULLY apostate ourselves from this covenant, Hewbrews shows that there is no sacrifice remaining for our sin from that point.
If the spouse willfully apostates themselves from the marriage covenant.....it is in perfect agreement that Christ has permitted an exception that ends this covenant entirely.

Now we can say that these were never truly 'saved' as some do, but the point remains, they DID come into this covenant and were sancified by the blood of said covenant...only to then reject it.
We can still apply this same type of scenario to a spouse who never really meant their vows....or thought they did and soon set them aside anyway and apostated themselves.

Id post links to what Ive written to help explain my views more, but theyd probably be deleted.

[Firelight]

quoting foc:  After the old covenant was ended tho, no one comes thru that economy put away.

One of the most rewawrding studies I've done has been in the book of Galatians... I'm still 'feasting' there.      

Chapter 3 is  most enlightening in teaching what the 'old economy' was.    Verse 19 states the law was 'added' temporarily, to act as a teacher showing the impossibility of human 'sin natures' to keep the law~  that we desperately needed a redeemer.    However,  people where 'kept' under the law (that included a 'measure' of mercy)...  until faith was revealed through Christ Jesus (vs22-23). 

The promise  made to Abraham  (that in his 'seed' (Jesus) would be his inheritance)  was given to him 430 years BEFORE the law was given.   Rather than over riding Abraham's promise,  the temporary giving of the law helped facilitate it. 

I understand Galatians to show us that law was intented to be temporary, showed us our need for redemption,  and ushered in the 'economy of faith in Christ Jesus'.   This was God's plan of salvation all along,  the plan of promise (given to Abraham).