TEXT: "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14).

IDEA: Marriage for Christians is more than a contract.

PURPOSE: To help listeners appreciate what a contract relationship involves.

When you were married, did you write your own vows?

When you perform a ceremony, do you allow couples to write their vows?

Suppose a couple wrote their own vows, what would be involved if they made these following promises?

I. Suppose they promise to honor and cherish each other “as long as our love shall last”?

The unspoken expectation may be that a person will stay in the marriage relationship as long as his/her needs are met.

This marriage is a “contract.” It is a quid-pro-quo arrangement stated or implied.

II Suppose they promise to stay in the marriage “as long as we are both faithful to keep the promises we have given to each other”?

This implies that a broken promise automatically ends the relationship.

It would be imperative that the promises be spelled out in detail so that both parties are aware of them. It leaves no room for sinfulness.

This is also a contract. It is less than binding.