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Marriage—A God-Plane Relationship (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Marriage is often viewed through a physical lens, influenced by a culture that prioritizes sexual compatibility, leading many to engage in fornication and cohabitation before marriage. Such actions increase the risk of divorce by 40 to 85 percent compared to couples who wait until after marriage to live together, revealing the tragic outcome of a purely physical perspective. However, God places marriage on a spiritual plane from the beginning, emphasizing that humans are created in His image after the God-kind. Thus, marriages should reflect this divine quality, with the spiritual aspect being the most crucial, preparing individuals for the Kingdom of God. Jesus Christ, in addressing questions on marriage and divorce, refers to God's original intent at creation, stating that God made humans male and female and ordained marriage as a lifelong union. He teaches that what God has joined together, man must not separate, highlighting that marriage is not merely a physical relationship to be broken at will but a divinely ordained institution. Christ further explains that divorce was permitted due to the hardness of hearts, but it was not so from the beginning, underscoring marriage's role in producing righteous character in God's children as part of the ongoing spiritual creation process. God blessed the first human couple, enduing them with power for success, which can be seen as their wedding ceremony, granting them the authority to enter this union and produce what God expected. With God's blessing, a married couple has a significantly greater chance of success and little excuse for failure. In the marriage covenant, God Himself seals the union, and blessings are sought for the relationship, offspring, and prosperity. God is faithful, ensuring that His word accomplishes what He desires, providing the power needed to make a Christian marriage work. Marriage is a blessed arrangement, sanctioned by God and loaded with benefits from His hands. As a party in the covenant, He offers advantages unique to this union, making the power for success available to those who enter it.

Marriage—A God-Plane Relationship (Part Four)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Marriage, when founded on a proper fear of the Lord, sets the stage for blessing and positive fruit within the family. A couple starting their marriage on this foundation can expect happiness, satisfaction, unity, and blessedness, along with the possibility of a long, fulfilling life. Such a marriage creates a content and fruitful family, full of potential for growth and expansion, and contributes to peace within the nation. An environment of peace, found in a God-fearing home, provides the ideal setting for the growth of righteousness and its fruit, producing upstanding individuals who build society. God desires a peaceful environment in marriage to produce children in His image, reflecting a higher purpose. However, when marriage relationships degenerate, as seen when husbands treacherously divorce their wives for trivial reasons, they fail to create the proper setting for raising godly seed for His Family. Marriage also serves to teach proper government, as God instructs mankind to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it, exercising authority and dominion. This purpose is not about harsh rule but about learning to govern as God governs, with marriage as a primary institution for this lesson. Through marriage, individuals learn to rule and submit, starting as children under authority, then maturing into roles of greater responsibility as husbands or wives. In these roles, they adapt to living with a mate, ruling themselves, and providing direction to a family. As parents, they learn to govern children at various stages, encountering diverse situations that teach better ways to handle challenges. The godly family, beginning with marriage and followed by child-rearing, imparts essential instruction on governance, preparing individuals to rule in God's Kingdom and teach the right way to live.

Marriage—A God-Plane Relationship (Part Seven)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The biblical concept of husband and wife being one flesh is deeply significant. As stated in Genesis 2:24, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Jesus Christ reinforces this in Matthew 19:6 and Mark 10:8, declaring that they are no longer two but one flesh, emphasizing the profound unity of marriage. This principle of one flesh, mentioned only seven times in Scripture, highlights a sacred bond, paralleled spiritually by the union of Christ and the church, where He is the Bridegroom and the church is the Bride. God does not view the sexual union of man and wife as trivial. As Hebrews 13:4 affirms, marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled, but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. To Him, this union is so valuable that each act of intimacy binds the spouses more closely, making marriage even more precious. The term "joined," derived from the Greek word kolláo and the Hebrew word dabaq, means to glue together or adhere, illustrating how conjugal relations unite a couple as one flesh, whether within or outside of marriage. Beyond the physical, the focus of the one flesh principle is on the closeness of union and togetherness. In I Corinthians 6:19 and 7:4, it is clear that spouses are not their own; they do not have authority over their own bodies, but their spouse does. Once married, the individuals are subsumed within the bond, prioritizing the unity of the relationship over individual desires. This absolute togetherness involves living, thinking, planning, and working as one, striving toward the ideal of functioning as a perfectly oiled unit. Marriage serves as a type of a greater spiritual reality, preparing individuals to be one spirit with God. It is a primary testing ground to learn how to work in tandem with a mate, pulling in the same direction for the same purposes, aiming for ultimate glory. God desires complete surrender in marriage, where each spouse gives everything to the other, owning nothing of themselves. As expressed in Song of Songs 6:3, the ideal marriage is one of total commitment, where each partner strives to live according to God's will, showing true love and outgoing concern for the other, and giving their all to develop God's character in themselves and their spouse.

Marriage—A God-Plane Relationship (Part Six)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh, as Moses writes in Genesis 2:24. This union works to restore the oneness of humanity, for the man is incomplete without the woman, and the woman without the man; together, they are whole. The term "cleave" means to stick fast or adhere, suggesting that the couple are bonded like glue to each other. The joint between a married couple should be so strong that, if trouble visits the marriage, the union will survive, with one spouse submitting rather than breaking the bond. God's intention for marriage is for it to be a lifelong union between one man and one woman. Throughout His Book, He emphasizes His desire for a man and a woman to remain married for life, with the core principles of marriage rooted in the first human couple in Genesis 1-3. Ultimately, a man and his wife are to be one flesh, joined together by God, and should not be separated.

In Defense of Marriage

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

From a biblical perspective, marriage is humanity's founding institution. After He created Adam and Eve, God immediately united them as husband and wife. Their union became the bedrock upon which human civilization was built. Humanity is one large family, and family begins with marriage. All stable, enduring societies cherish the one-man-one-woman lifelong bond of marriage. Rome, for instance, flourished during its centuries as a republic due to its tenacious grip on the traditional family, renowned for its total lack of divorce throughout this period. Rome's slow decline can be traced to the time when easy divorce and open promiscuity began to cheapen the marriage covenant's worth. The legal recognition of traditional marriage acknowledges its benefits to society as a whole. Traditional marriages produce children, who extend the nation's existence, ideals, goals, and wealth for another generation. Traditional families are healthier, more stable, and more productive than other kinds of families, resulting in a net gain for society. If the definition of marriage is opened up to combinations of people other than one man and one woman, it can be marked as the death-knell of the nation. No society has ever endured far beyond the demeaning of the marriage institution.

Marriage—A God-Plane Relationship (Part One)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In the United States, marriage has been under assault for many years, facing challenges from societal shifts and moral declines over the last five or six decades. The sexual revolution, beginning in the 1950s, ushered in an era of widespread sexual freedom, leading millions to engage with multiple partners before and even after marriage. The introduction of no-fault divorce laws, starting with California in 1970, made dissolving marriages easier across many states. Additionally, the rise of feminism, the legalization of abortion, and the homosexual movement have further impacted the traditional view of marriage, compounded by the spread of sexually transmitted diseases that have reached pandemic proportions. Beyond societal pressures, marriage inherently presents significant challenges as two distinct individuals attempt to build a life together. Each partner brings unique sins and weaknesses that must be addressed, along with potential baggage that can complicate the relationship. Communication difficulties arise due to differing ways men and women express themselves, and diverse approaches to life often create friction—men may act impulsively while women might be led by emotions. Varied backgrounds, in-law issues, and childrearing conflicts add further strain, making many marriages unstable and prone to collapse. Marriage is not an easy proposition. Despite these difficulties, marriage remains a complex and vital social institution for most people. Although God has not commanded everyone to marry, the majority choose this path. For those who can master their desires and devote themselves to God's work, remaining unmarried is acceptable. However, for most, marriage is the route taken, and after baptism, deciding to marry is the most significant choice one can make. This decision should be deeply considered, not only before making such a sacred vow but throughout the journey, as the marriage vow marks the start of a process of refinement and growth. This process binds husband and wife more closely while fostering the development of holy, righteous, godly character. God created both men and women in His own image, establishing that before Him, they are equal with the same potential to be transformed into His image and inherit His Kingdom. Marriage is thus a union of equals before God, though husbands are placed in a position of authority as first among equals. While equal in potential, men and women differ in mental, physical, and emotional makeup, with distinct natural inclinations and skills, yet neither is better than the other. Created after God's own body and mind, both possess human-level equivalents of His qualities, distributed between male and female. This God-like nature underscores the importance of relationships, placing marriage on a spiritual plane with a profound imperative to strive toward becoming just like God.

The Sacredness of Marriage

Article by James Beaubelle

Marriage, as a sacred institution, stands as a cornerstone of society, yet it is under assault in these troubling times. The traditional value of marriage, once upheld as a covenant between a man, a woman, and God, is being eroded by modern laws and attitudes that redefine it as a mere legal contract, devoid of its divine significance. In some regions, such as Massachusetts and Connecticut, marriage is no longer seen as a sacred bond but as a union that sanctions behaviors God condemns, masking wickedness under legal protections. God, who is never caught off-guard, remains disgusted by this distortion of His creation. God Himself instituted marriage as a foundational element of human society, declaring in Genesis 2:18 that it is not good for man to be alone, and thus creating a helper comparable to him. In Genesis 2:24, He sanctified this union, joining man and woman as one flesh, establishing that they should leave their parents and cling to each other as a new family unit. This divine design, created before sin entered the world, was intended to be a permanent bond, as Christ later affirmed in Matthew 5:27-32, teaching that only grave breaches like infidelity can break this tie. The purpose behind God's creation of marriage extends beyond companionship. As revealed in Malachi 2:11, God desires godly children, and a stable, unified family structure, free from the threat of separation, provides the best environment for raising such offspring. Through this, God partners with mankind in His creative work, allowing parents to prepare children for His calling, a process that will ultimately bring many into His Family. Any alteration to this divine structure is a direct rebellion against the Creator. Marriage also holds profound spiritual significance, symbolizing the relationship between Christ and His church. Throughout Scripture, Christ is portrayed as the Husband or Bridegroom, with the church as His bride, a representation seen in both Old and New Testaments. This elevates marriage beyond a mere human institution to a sacred reflection of divine love and unity, as Paul illustrates in Ephesians 5:22-33, drawing parallels between a married couple and Christ's bond with His church. Those who mock or undermine marriage, promoting lax divorce laws or treating its commitments lightly, work against God's plan, hastening societal decay. God's laws, including three of the Ten Commandments—the fifth, seventh, and tenth—directly protect the sanctity of marriage and family. The fifth establishes responsibilities between parents and children, fostering a foundation for societal order. The seventh, forbidding adultery, guards the marriage covenant against internal betrayal, a sin that destroys from within and often leaves lasting damage. The tenth, prohibiting coveting a neighbor's wife, protects marriage from external threats, recognizing that such desires, even if unacted upon, violate God's law. These commandments underscore the high esteem in which God holds marriage, from its inception with Adam and Eve to its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's union with His church. As society drifts further from these standards, the sacred values of marriage must be upheld with unwavering resolve.

Christian Marriage (Part Two)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Marriage is of profound importance, as God intended it to be a permanent union from the beginning. God established marriage for the good of the human family, embedding it into creation itself, where a man and a woman become one flesh. This union is meant to endure throughout their lives, reflecting a covenant that should not be taken lightly. God abhors divorce, viewing it as a violence against the sacred bond He created, and it is contrary to His original design for lifelong commitment. The permanency of marriage is a spiritual principle that God holds dear, and unfaithfulness, hypocrisy, and violence profane this covenant. Unfaithfulness in marriage, described as treachery, involves breaking vows and deceiving one's spouse, mirroring a broader spiritual unfaithfulness. Hypocrisy is seen when individuals sin against the marriage covenant and then seek God's blessing without true repentance. Violence, whether physical, verbal, or attitudinal, damages the trust and tenderness that should define marriage, staining the innocent garment of this union with deceit and mistreatment. God is an unseen witness at every wedding, observing the vows made between spouses. He expects far more from those who are converted, holding them to a higher standard than the world. Divorce, though allowed in certain cases due to the hardness of hearts, is not what God desires; it pulls apart what He has joined together. Even when permitted, it is never required and should be approached with the intent to heal and reconcile whenever possible. The goal of any separation is reconciliation, not to pursue others, as dating during separation is considered adultery. Marriage among true believers should be permanent, with each party committed to giving their all every moment, regardless of the spouse's actions. God established marriage not merely for human happiness or reproduction, but primarily as an illustration of the enduring relationship between Jesus Christ and His bride, the church. This bond, marked by love and faithfulness, is meant to be unbreakable, reflecting the ultimate standard of imitating God's love. Christians are called to build loving relationships with their spouses, recognizing that earthly marriages should picture the great loving relationship between Jesus Christ and the church.

Marriage—A God-Plane Relationship (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God's involvement in Christian marriage provides blessings and elevates it spiritually, creating a superior environment for character growth and preparation for the Kingdom of God. With His power available, a Christian marriage has a clear advantage, though not every marriage will be seamless due to human imperfection. His blessing and involvement are essential for a marriage to reach its fullest potential, as couples, despite their differences, will never agree on everything. Marriage holds a higher purpose beyond the physical union of a man and woman, as seen in both Genesis and Revelation, where it represents the ultimate spiritual union between Christ and His bride. Human marriages are types of this greater spiritual marriage, designed by God to prepare individuals for an intimate relationship with their Savior, teaching them how to be spiritually one with Him. Additionally, God provides marriage to produce children, authorizing and blessing it as the only union for this purpose. Within marriage and the traditional family, children have the best environment to develop secure, peaceful, and useful lives, as well as the discipline and character to reflect God's image. Marriage is a vital first step in God's process of reproducing Himself, where the lawful union of man and wife can bring into being another individual with the potential to be a member of God's Family. It is within this environment that parents, despite their inexperience, bear the responsibility to mold the next generation into clay that God can shape into righteous sons and daughters for His Kingdom.

The Perfect Marriage

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In the United States, marriage has been under assault for many years, particularly over the last 50 years, with influences like the sexual revolution, eased divorce laws, and societal shifts challenging its foundation. Despite these challenges, marriage remains a vital part of most lives, and after baptism, the decision to marry is the most significant one to consider deeply, both before entering into it and throughout the experience. It is not an easy proposition, fraught with difficulties such as communication issues, in-law meddling, children-related conflicts, and each partner's unique sins and weaknesses that must be overcome. Marriage holds a high spiritual purpose, as God created mankind, both male and female, in His own image, endowing them with qualities reflective of His nature. This places marriage on a God-plane level, emphasizing its seriousness as a lifelong institution intended to produce divine character. God's blessing on marriage, seen from the beginning, grants the right and authority to enter this union and succeed in what He expects, providing the power necessary for a Christian marriage to thrive, despite human imperfections. Marriage serves multiple purposes: it is a vehicle for producing divine character, a blessed arrangement sanctioned by God to fulfill His expectations, and the only union authorized to produce children in an environment conducive to raising godly seed. It also provides a basis for proper government, teaching how to rule and submit within a family structure, preparing individuals for greater responsibilities in God's Kingdom. The concept of being joined as one flesh underscores the lifelong commitment of marriage, binding a man and woman together like glue, stronger than any external force. This union demands absolute togetherness, where each partner is fully committed to the other, owning and being owned in a mutual bond. Marriage acts as a training ground to learn how to be one with God, mirroring the ultimate spiritual union with Him, and requires each mate to strive utmost to live according to His will, showing true love and concern for the other in developing character.

Christian Marriage (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Cohabitation has led to increased divorce, marital violence, and lack of fidelity after marriage. Mass media has shamelessly used sex to promote materialism.

Sex, Sin and Marriage

'Ready Answer' by Staff

Marriage holds a holy purpose, reflecting the sacred union between Christ and the church. God intends marriage to be a relationship of holiness, mirroring the bond between His Son and His bride made perfect. Husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the church, giving themselves for them, nourishing and cherishing them as the Lord does the church. Wives should submit to their husbands as to the Lord, viewing them with the same reverence. If both truly grasp this meaning, marriage becomes a holy institution, not merely a set of rules to follow. God created marriage to be delightful, as seen in the union of Adam and Eve in a garden meaning delight. They were to become one flesh, bonded by love, with no shame in their intimacy. Sex within marriage is honorable, beautiful, and holy, meant to be kept unpolluted, sacred, and pure. God seeks godly offspring from such unions and warns against dealing treacherously in marriage. Infidelity, whether actual or fantasized, is a chief cause of marital problems and divorce, violating the principle of exclusivity in presenting one's mate to oneself. Adultery and other sexual sins create a second bond in opposition to marriage, inflicting severe damage on the relationship. Such sins are against one's own body and, ultimately, show infidelity to God, who owns us completely, having bought us at a high cost. Physical adultery begins with spiritual unfaithfulness, starting when we break the vows made to God. When we are faithful to Him and our covenant, we will not commit sexual sins. Marriages should picture the relationship of Jesus and the church, remaining holy and clean. By doing so, we glorify God and produce righteous fruit toward His Kingdom. God desires our marriages to be undefiled, and we must possess our vessels in sanctification and honor, not in lust. This does not diminish the tremendous pleasure, joy, and intimacy of marriage, as God created men and women to bond as one flesh, sharing the fullness of emotions.

The Purpose of the Marriage Relationship

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Marriage prepares God's called-out ones to collectively become the bride of Christ. God hates divorce but allows it on grounds of adultery and violence.

Marriage—A God-Plane Relationship (Part Five)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

A chief purpose of marriage is to teach godly government. It provides an environment to learn both how to submit to authority and how to oversee others in love.

Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Wives are admonished to submit to their husbands, children to their parents, servants to their overseers, and we all are admonished to submit to one another.

Homosexual Marriage?

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Homosexuality is not a lifestyle, but a sin directly against God, flouting God's creation of male and female, and perverting the natural use of the human body.

Why Bother With Fathers?

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

America should know better, yet for generations, the sanctity of marriage has steadily declined. Now divorce is routine and illegitimacy is commonplace.

Called Their Name Adam

Sermon by Mark Schindler

God named both Adam and Eve 'Adam', signifying an unbreakable bond. This bond was secure until sin entered, creating enmity between men, women, and God.

Christian Dating: Advice for Today

Article by Staff

How are the young people in the church of God supposed to approach the dating situation today? Here is advice on dating, sex and enjoying one's youth.

The Seventh Commandment

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

The seventh commandment protects family relationships from a sexual standpoint. Sexual sins are highly destructive, and God wants His children to be pure.

Divorce and Remarriage

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Any given doctrine must be built layer by layer, combining and comparing scriptures rather than allowing a single scripture to determine the doctrine. When we understand that porneia includes all the hideous perverted sexual sins that go beyond ordinary adultery- including bestiality, pedophilia, homosexuality, incest, and every other imaginable sexual perversion, we understand that Jesus gave a greater latitude and flexibility in these divorce decisions than we had earlier assumed (based exclusively upon adulterous 'fraud'). Any violence against the marriage contract (stemming from unconversion) would constitute grounds for divorce, and would permit the converted partner to remarry. Mutual access to the tree of life (God's Holy Spirit) gives marriage the best (actually the only) chance to succeed.

Leadership and Covenants (Part Six)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Despite having served mankind well for millennia, marriage is crumbling under a three-pronged attack. Marriage is vital to understanding God's purpose.

Matthew (Part Twenty-Five)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus contrasts the enormity of what we are forgiven to what we forgive others. Our forgiveness is directly connected with our forgiveness of our brother.

The First Prophecy (Part Two)

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In Eve's curse lies the beginnings of both women's difficulties in childbearing and the battle of the sexes. The effects of this curse are still being felt daily!

What's Wrong With 'Here Comes the Groom'?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Radical feminism has tried to empower one gender by disabling and marginalizing the other gender, creating a pathological, dysfunctional society.

Remembering Who We Are

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid

When we consider the awesome contrast of what we were before God called us and what we are now, we cannot allow ourselves to commit spiritual fornication.

Dating Outside the Church

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Dating outside the church is fraught with dangers, yoking a believer with an unbeliever and complicating the spiritual overcoming and growth process.

Leadership and the Covenants (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Paul urges Euodia and Syntyche to follow the example of Christ rather than placing their desire to be right over unity. Godly leadership follows submission.

Malachi's Appeal to Backsliders (Part Two)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Malachi assures the people of Judah that if they repent, God's favor will resume, but if they continue defiling the Covenant, a day of reckoning will come.

The Lord's Nourishing and Cherishing

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The marriage covenant must be elevated to the stature of Christ and the church. A caring husband must love his wife as he nourishes his own physical body.

Leadership and the Covenants (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Becoming equipped for leadership requires that we discipline ourselves in following God's way of life, allowing the mind of Jesus Christ to be in us in.

God's Pattern of the Family

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The family structure, with assigned orders of responsibility (not orders of importance implying superiority or inferiority), is paramount to God's plan.

Our Help

Sermon by Bill Onisick

The woman was created to be a strong, equal, complementary partner. Marriage was intended to mirror the intimacy between Christ and the church.

Strengthening the Family

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God ordained marriage and the family for the physical and spiritual growth and nurturing of children. God's goal is a Family composed of mature spirit beings.

The Seventh Commandment (1997)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

For the past forty years, marriage has been a leading social issue in America, discussed with persistent confusion, pessimism, and passion. Despite some recent signs of increasing stability, marriage remains in a state of calamity. Divorce rates, which were under 40% in the late 1960s, surged to almost 50% by 1975 and peaked at 51% by 1978, stabilizing just under 50% since 1988. In certain areas like San Mateo County, California, the divorce rate has reached a staggering 70%, while Nevada records nearly three times the national average of divorces per capita. The average duration of marriages before divorce has also decreased from seven years to between four and five years. The media often emphasize sexual compatibility as the critical factor in marriage, yet as knowledge and opportunities for sexual experimentation have grown, so have broken homes, disease, and societal instability. Sexual incompatibility contributes to divorce, but it is only one aspect of a deeper national sin of faithlessness. This faithlessness, mirrored in Israel's spiritual condition, is described as adultery or harlotry, reflecting a failure to fulfill covenantal duties akin to a marriage contract with God. God is portrayed as a faithful husband, while Israel's actions betray that bond. When faithlessness infiltrates marriage and combines with promiscuous behavior, few are willing to change despite clear evidence of its destructive effects, such as broken homes, increased illegitimacy, and various social ills. This faithlessness tears at the fabric of the nation, with leaders and industries prospering from the resulting societal decay. Moreover, reasons for remaining faithful often stem from fear of consequences or social pressure rather than a commitment to God's standards, highlighting a lack of consideration for His will. Adultery, as exemplified by King David's actions, inevitably damages relationships, showing that no one can escape the consequences of such sin. Even when forgiven, the effects of fornication and adultery linger, manifesting in penalties like disease, unplanned pregnancies, or incompatible unions. God's law automatically imposes consequences, underscoring that fleeting forbidden pleasure is not worth the lasting cost. The pervasive faithlessness in marriage and sexual conduct, driven by societal influences and a dismissal of divine standards, continues to mount penalties. These consequences are becoming increasingly visible, bringing great sorrow. Obeying God's commandments offers a wiser path than learning through the harsh repercussions of sin. Unrestrained breaking of these laws will ultimately lead to societal collapse, as nature itself turns against a faithless people, making it impossible to dwell in the land without facing upheaval and disaster.

'But I Say to You' (Part Four): Divorce

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

When divorce takes place, spiritual growth from the relationship stops, but when conflict escalates within a dying relationship, no growth can occur either.

Husbands, Love Your Wives

Sermon by Mark Schindler

Gratitude must be cultivated with expressions of thanksgiving in marriage, avoiding the pitfalls of materialism, entitlement, victimhood, and narcissism.

Leadership and Covenants (Part Five)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Universal in scope, the Edenic Covenant introduces God to mankind as his Creator and establishes the way human beings are to relate to Him and the creation.

Genesis 3:16: Consequences for Eve

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Spiritually, male and female have equal potential. Rights and legalities are far less important than spiritual development, subject to God-ordained gender roles.

Choosing to Have a Good Relationship

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Marriage, as presented in the biblical framework, stands as the primary bond of society and the foundation of social life. Before a society or family can exist, there must be a marriage, a union between a male and a female from the very beginning. This bond, characterized by divine institution, companionship, romantic relationship, sexual union, covenant, joint livelihood, parenting, and a shared relationship with Jesus Christ and the Father, reveals the intricate and complex nature of marriage. At its core, marriage embodies the principle that two become one, a joining orchestrated by God Himself, who first united Adam and Eve, establishing the initial marriage union in human history. God ordained marriage as an institution to reflect the relationship the church will have with Christ, emphasizing faithfulness within the matrimonial bond. This human marriage serves as a type of the divine marriage within God's Kingdom, highlighting the importance of conducting it correctly and properly. The purpose of marriage in this life is to prepare us through faithfulness for an eternal, faithful marriage to Christ, constantly reminding us of our sacred relationship with Him. Thus, the sanctity, sacredness, and permanency of the marriage bond are of utmost importance, a truth that, if universally understood, could prevent mismatched unions and inspire partners to strive for happiness in their marriages. Throughout biblical imagery, God's relationship with His people is depicted as a marriage, with God as the Husband and His people as His wife, reflecting a covenantal bond built on mutual love and expressed in a legal form. When Israel broke this covenant through idolatry, it was likened to breaking marriage vows, portraying spiritual unfaithfulness as adultery. Prophets like Hosea, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Isaiah used this metaphor to dramatize Israel's alienation from God, equating rebellion with prostitution and adultery, yet also foretelling a future restoration of this marriage relationship through salvation and a covenant of peace. In the New Testament, this imagery continues, portraying the church as the betrothed Bride of Christ, with a call to remain spiritually undefiled and faithful in preparation for the eternal union with Him. The ultimate purpose of human marriage is to teach lessons of commitment, communication, creating a loving home, embracing the extended family, living in love, and staying committed until death, all of which mirror the spiritual preparation for becoming the Bride of Christ. These choices—commitment for better or worse, speaking with kindness, making a house a home, accepting the whole family, living in love, and enduring until the end—are essential for a successful marriage, both physically and spiritually, as we grow in our relationship with Christ.

Paul's 'Politically Incorrect' Advice to Titus (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Mike Ford

Paul was quite blunt in how he characterized the Cretans' traits. He had a higher purpose than to criticize them; he wanted to impart helpful instructions.

Dating (Part 1): The Purposes of Dating

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

A key ingredient in dating is faith in God's purpose. The relationship one has with God takes precedence over any relationship with any other human being.

'But I Say to You' (Part Three): Adultery

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In the current culture war, progressives have declared war against God's seventh commandment by encouraging free sex, homosexuality, and other perversions.

Dating (Part 2): The Proper Order of Things

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Many singles have found dating in the church difficult, consequently turning to the world for companionship, courting dangerous consequences.

Of God Appointed Life

Sermon by Mark Schindler

We must trust God's sovereign timing even in grief and sore trials, realizing that life is not random, but God-appointed.

The Perfect Wife

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Marriage, as presented, stands in stark contrast to modern cultural views, often clashing with worldly ideas influenced by feminism and modern critical thinking. These external forces challenge the biblical perspective on marriage roles and submission, creeping into the church and shaping perceptions away from God's intended design. God established marriage from the beginning as a union of equals, creating man and woman in His image, with both receiving the same foundational instructions to be fruitful and multiply. They complement each other, forming a more complete image of God together through their unique strengths when united as one flesh. God designed woman as a helper comparable to man, emphasizing their equality and companionship, with the imagery of being taken from man's side underscoring that she is neither behind nor ahead, but alongside him. Yet, a structure of authority exists, with man given headship as he was created first, and woman, created second, positioned under his authority within the family. This order, set by God, implies specific roles, and stepping outside these roles leads to disunity and stress, as God's design is meant to function in a particular way. Marriage is portrayed as a God-plane relationship, mirroring the bond between a Christian and God, and even between Jesus Christ and the Father. It serves as a tool for growth and overcoming, teaching individuals to act in godly ways within their assigned roles. Sin, however, introduced conflict into this relationship, bringing sorrow, pain, and a struggle for dominance, as seen in the consequences outlined after the fall, where woman's desire to overpower her husband results in his rule over her. This battle of self-interests has persisted throughout history, often leaving women dominated by men in many societies. The biblical instruction aims to guide individuals back to God's original intent, urging women to submit to their husbands and men to love their wives, countering the natural enmity toward God's directives caused by human nature. Submission, a key principle for wives, reflects humility and esteeming others above oneself, paralleling the church's submission to Christ. This act, though difficult, is essential for godly relationships and is supported by examples of holy women who recognized their husbands' headship with a gentle and quiet spirit, valued greatly by God. A woman's role, encompassing duties of motherhood and womanhood, is where her faithfulness, love, holiness, and self-control are tested and judged by God. Similarly, a man's salvation hinges on fulfilling his roles with the same virtues. By accepting and excelling in the positions God has placed them, individuals reverse the effects of sin's curse, moving toward salvation and glorification. The ideal wife, far from being an oppressed figure, is depicted as honorable, praiseworthy, and of immeasurable worth, finding great fulfillment and blessing in following God's design for marriage.

The Commandments (Part Sixteen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

It is absolutely impossible for lust to bring about any kind of satisfaction. Adultery cannot be entered into without irrevocably damaging relationships.

Virtues Hard and Soft

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The 'hard' virtues displayed by men and 'soft' virtues displayed by women are partial traits of the God being. Both male and female are in His image.

The Seventh Commandment

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The Seventh Commandment—prohibiting adultery—covers the subject of faithfulness. Unfaithfulness devastates many aspects of family and society life.

The Seventh Commandment: Adultery

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In Amos' prophecy, faithlessness and sexual immorality loom large, like a a prostitute chasing after lovers. Faithlessness extends into not keeping one's word.

Is It Salvational? (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Simply watching out for the so-called "big sins" suggests that we are not genuinely interested in conforming to God—just in not crossing a major red line.

The Promise in the Fifth Commandment (Part One)

'Ready Answer' by David F. Maas

What is the connection between keeping the fifth commandment—honoring parents—and enjoying a long, fulfilling, productive life on earth?

Loyalty and Submission (Part 3)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

As wives are admonished to emulate the ideal of the Proverbs 31 woman, husbands must emulate the sacrificial spirit of Jesus Christ.

Loyalty and Submission (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Marriage has always been a challenging union due to human nature's self-centered drive to compete or control, influenced by satan's pervasive pride that affects both genders. Over the past fifty years, marriage has grown exceedingly difficult, compounded by technological advances in transportation and communication, as well as visual media like movies and television, which often undermine traditional values. Universities, too, have become centers for liberalizing what are seen as restrictive traditions, with entities like Harvard University Press rejecting works that support marriage, reflecting a broader cultural bias against it. Powerful organizations such as the National Organization for Women and Planned Parenthood have actively fought against the concept of marriage, portraying it as slavery or a form of oppression. Their influence has permeated society through media and literature, promoting ideas that equate marriage with prostitution or harassment. Legally, the covenant of marriage has been weakened by no-fault divorce laws, making the dissolution of marriage as simple as a declaration, reflecting a lack of binding commitment in modern culture. Subjection within marriage, often misunderstood or feared as leading to misery, is a critical aspect of loyalty. God has established a clear line of authority to create order, requiring both husband and wife to be subject to each other in different aspects of life, and ultimately to Christ. This subjection is not about dominance but about mutual support and balance, essential for a productive marital unit. Loyalty in marriage demands faith, humility, and self-control, mirroring the same attributes needed for godly leadership. God commands that the principles of Christianity be applied specifically to marriage, emphasizing devotion to righteousness and mutual subjection as fundamental to the relationship. Our loyalty to God as our Master is tested in all relationships, including marriage, where we must show subjection by obeying Him.

Childrearing (Part Three)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our children internalize our values; we teach largely by example. If we do not take seriously the responsibility for rearing our children, somebody else will.

Wonderful Women

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

According to God's vision of the institution of marriage, when man and wife follow the rule of submission and sacrificial love, patriarchy is a blessing.

Is it Salvational?

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

It is easy to denigrate a matter as not being 'salvational,' but the real question to ask is, How will this action affect my relationship with God?

Loyalty and Submission (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Loyalty and submission to God (not always easy) empowers and guarantees ultimate success and leadership, actually freeing us from the fear of death.

Hebrews (Part Fifteen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

We dare not allow a root of bitterness to spring up in us as a result of trials - those burdens intended by God to strengthen us and perfect us.

Biblical Loves

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Scripture draws from Koine Greek, offering four distinct words for 'love,' each relaying different dimensions of human connection, restoring clarity and depth.

The Purpose of Relationships

Sermonette by Ryan McClure

The marriage covenant was designed to bring incomplete components of the God image together in one flesh, from which other relationships developed.

Standing With God (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Charles Whitaker

Wisdom counsels God's people not to rely on worldly conservatives to fight their battles for them. True Christians will find themselves using untempered mortar.