God’s relationship with His people is portrayed as a marriage (Jeremiah 3:14; Ezekiel 16:1-63), and the relationship between Christ and His Church is also depicted as a marriage (Ephesians 5:23-32; Revelation 19:7-9). When Israel—whom God referred to as His wife—turned to false gods, God called it “commi[ting] adultery” and “play[ing] the harlot” (Jeremiah 3:1-9). Idolatry is spiritual adultery.
The more we understand the relationship between the Church and Christ, the better we understand what our marriages should be like. If both the husband and wife are Christians and share the same beliefs, they are spiritual partners helping each other to grow spiritually and to better serve others.
It is easier to have a harmonious marriage if there is spiritual like-mindedness. This is mentioned in numerous Old Testament scriptures and in two New Testament verses. Speaking of a single or widowed woman, Paul wrote that “she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
As mentioned in the earlier article in this issue both the Old and New Testaments have many warnings about physical immorality. In the book of Proverbs, it’s significant that much space in the first nine chapters is devoted to warning about the temptations and foolishness of sexual sin.
Instead of dwelling on seeking sexual pleasures, Christians should be focused on preparing for something greater. God is offering us the opportunity of everlasting life in the Kingdom of God where we are told there are “pleasures forevermore!” (Psalms 16:11).
Finally no matter what sins a person may have committed, when God sees that he or she has sincerely and deeply repented, He will always forgive (Psalms 103:8; Ezekiel 18:30-32; 1 John 1:9). True repentance includes both godly sorrow and a determination to “go and sin no more” (2 Corinthians 7:9-10; John 8:11). Then God promises: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).
