At a time when we can visit a drive-thru chapel in Vegas and get married to a stranger by someone dressed as Elvis, no wonder we get covenant and contract confused. From was God designed to be everlasting (that no man shall tear apart) to being disposable by the end of the weekend. We’ve lost reverence for the institution of marriage due to bad decisions, lack of wisdom, and direction by God.
There was a time when most couples received pre-marriage counseling before they got married. However, that is not the standard anymore, as people base their decisions on how they feel at the moment. People are more concerned with infatuation than love, leading to a high divorce rate. In the 60s, the divorce rate was in the 50% range, but there has been a decrease in that number. I’d love to tell you because there has been an increase in God-inspired marriages. But it’s really about just living together now, and when they break up, it’s not recorded as a divorce. But while society may have changed the definition of marriage, God has not.
Contracts and covenants are not the same thing. Here are some fundamental differences:
- While a contract is legally binding, a covenant is a spiritual agreement.
- A contract is an agreement between parties while a covenant is a pledge.
- A contract is an agreement you can break while a covenant is a perpetual promise.
- You seal a covenant while you sign a contract.
- A contract exchanges one good for another, while a covenant is giving oneself to another.
- You can opt-out of a contract while a covenant is about having the strength to hold up your part of the promise.
Covenants are a type of contract, but they do not work as a contract. This is a trust-based promise that relies on your integrity and discipline. While contracts are enforceable by the courts, covenants depend on your values.
Five ways to keep your marriage covenant
- Pray for and with each other daily – It’s hard to drift away from someone you are praying for and with.
- Keep your promises – Do what you said you would when you said your vows to each other.
- Communicate with Truth and Grace – There are going to be times when you need to work on your communication. There are going to be times you need to speak to each other with Truth and Grace.
- Forgive continually – Always be willing to forgive your spouse as God forgives us.
- Stay committed – Don’t become complacent, or bored, let your eyes wander, and don’t take each other for granted.
Earn your marriage every day!
Truth & Grace
- You’re going to have to earn your marriage every day. If you think you can ease back and your spouse has to put up with the man you drift into, you are going to have a difficult marriage.
- Malachi 2:14 Because Yahweh was a witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.
Did you know there is more to this article?
Devotions:
- How to Prioritize Your Wife – https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/2829-uncommen-marriage-how-to-prioritize-wife
- As One – https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/13788-as-one
- Husbands Defined – https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/9373-uncommen-husbands-defined
Articles
- How to work on your marriage – https://www.uncommen.org/how-to-work-on-your-marriage/
- How to handle disagreements in your marriage – https://www.uncommen.org/how-to-handle-disagreements-in-your-marriage/
- Overcoming passivity | The Genesis Effect – https://www.uncommen.org/overcoming-passivity-the-genesis-effect/
Videos
- That Sitcom Husband – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qNG84KBJls
- I do…now what? – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ommtivw2aoE
- If You Want a Godly marriage, Seek God first – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-wc_URZYh0&t=1s