Faithfulness in Marriage: A Call to Love

Devotional

Day 1: Faithfulness in Marriage Requires Our Whole Heart

To be faithful in marriage is not simply about avoiding a single act of betrayal, but about daily, wholehearted commitment to love, honor, and serve your partner as Christ loves us. True faithfulness encompasses every aspect of our lives—our thoughts, our actions, and our intentions—calling us to a love that is sacrificial, steadfast, and renewing. This means waking up each day and choosing to bless, support, and encourage your spouse, even when it is difficult, and to see your relationship as a gift that shapes you into something new. Faithfulness is not a passive state but an active, ongoing decision to love with everything you have, reflecting the love and grace God extends to us. [20:38]

Exodus 20:14 (Common English Bible)
"Do not commit adultery."

Reflection: What is one daily habit you can begin today that will intentionally bless, support, or encourage your spouse, reflecting your commitment to wholehearted faithfulness?

Day 2: Examine Your Own Heart Before Judging Others

Jesus calls us to look inward before casting judgment on others, especially in matters of broken trust and infidelity. It is easy to focus on the failures of others, but Christ invites us to recognize our own need for grace and to approach others with humility and compassion. By dropping our stones of judgment, we open ourselves to God’s mercy and create space for healing and restoration, both in our own lives and in our relationships. This posture of self-examination and mercy is essential for living out God’s commands in a way that leads to true life and reconciliation. [15:47]

John 8:7-11 (Common English Bible)
"When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, 'Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.' And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' She said, 'No one, sir.' And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.'"

Reflection: Is there someone you have been quick to judge in your heart? How can you practice humility and extend grace to them today, just as Christ has done for you?

Day 3: Love Like Christ—Sacrificially and Daily

Loving your spouse as Christ loves us means making a conscious, daily decision to put their needs above your own, to forgive, to encourage, and to seek their flourishing. This kind of love is not based on fleeting emotions but on a steadfast commitment to serve, bless, and make the other better, even when it is hard. It is a love that requires sacrifice, humility, and perseverance, mirroring the selfless love Christ demonstrated on the cross. When both partners strive to outdo one another in honor and clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, and patience, their relationship becomes a reflection of God’s perfect love and harmony. [27:54]

Colossians 3:12-14 (Common English Bible)
"Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can choose to love your spouse sacrificially today, even if it requires humility or letting go of your own preferences?

Day 4: There Is Grace and Hope After Brokenness

No matter how deep the wounds of betrayal or how many times you have fallen short, Christ’s love and grace are always available to you. The story of the Samaritan woman at the well reminds us that Jesus meets us in our brokenness, knows our whole story, and still offers us living water—new life, hope, and restoration. Your past does not disqualify you from God’s love or from being used for His purposes. In your lowest moments, God’s grace can bring healing not only to you but to those around you, transforming your story into a testimony of redemption. [38:31]

John 4:13-14 (Common English Bible)
"Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'"

Reflection: If you are carrying shame or regret from past brokenness, how can you open your heart to receive Christ’s forgiveness and let His grace begin to heal and restore you today?

Day 5: Remember, Renew, and Dream Together

A thriving marriage is built on remembering your shared story, renewing your vows, and dreaming about the future together. Setting aside intentional time to recall how your relationship began, to revisit the promises you made, and to envision what you hope to accomplish as a couple can rekindle love and strengthen your bond. These practices help you focus on your own growth and commitment, rather than comparing or judging, and invite you to pursue a future marked by hope, partnership, and shared purpose. Investing in your relationship—through conversation, celebration, and even seeking wise counsel—can help you become better together and find the life you are longing for. [33:13]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV)
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"

Reflection: Set aside time this week to remember your story with your spouse and share one dream for your future together—what is one step you can take to move toward that dream?

Sermon Summary

In the midst of a world marked by brokenness and tragedy, we are reminded of God’s unwavering presence and love that never leaves us, even in our darkest moments. Today, we reflected on the seventh commandment—“Do not commit adultery”—and explored its meaning both in its ancient context and for our lives today. While the original commandment was narrowly defined, focusing on a specific act and often unjustly targeting women, Jesus radically reoriented our understanding. He called us not only to avoid a single act but to examine the desires and intentions of our hearts, urging us to live with integrity, humility, and self-giving love.

Adultery and infidelity are not just private matters; they are pervasive, affecting countless lives and relationships. The statistics are sobering, but the call is not to judge others or throw stones, but to look inward, to our own hearts and relationships. Jesus’ encounter with the woman caught in adultery challenges us to confront our own sin before condemning others, and to extend the same mercy and grace that we have received.

Faithfulness in marriage is not simply about avoiding a particular sin; it is about daily choosing to love, honor, and serve our partner as Christ loves us. Marriage is a gift—a covenant that transforms us, making us new creations. It requires sacrifice, humility, and a commitment to bless and support one another, even when it is difficult. This faithfulness is lived out not just in grand gestures, but in the small, everyday decisions to put our partner’s well-being above our own.

For those struggling in their relationships, practical steps—like remembering your story together, renewing your vows, setting aside intentional time, and seeking help when needed—can help rekindle love and hope. And for those who have experienced the pain of broken trust, the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well reminds us that there is always grace, always hope, and always the possibility of redemption. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, and we are called to love one another with that same relentless, transformative love.

Key Takeaways

1. The call to faithfulness in marriage is not limited to avoiding a single act of betrayal, but encompasses the daily, intentional choice to love, honor, and serve our partner as Christ loves us. This requires humility, sacrifice, and a willingness to put the other’s needs above our own, even when it is difficult. [23:06]
2. Jesus challenges our tendency to judge others harshly while ignoring our own shortcomings. His response to the woman caught in adultery exposes the hypocrisy of selective justice and calls us to self-examination, mercy, and a refusal to condemn others without first confronting our own sin. [15:47]
3. The biblical vision of marriage is that of a transformative covenant, where two become one and are made new by God’s grace. This union is not just a legal or social arrangement, but a spiritual gift that calls us to become more like Christ through self-giving love and mutual support. [22:18]
4. True faithfulness is rooted in the heart, not just in outward behavior. Jesus deepens the commandment by connecting it to our inner life—our thoughts, desires, and intentions—reminding us that integrity and wholeness in relationships begin with the transformation of our hearts. [28:40]
5. For those who have experienced brokenness, betrayal, or failure, the story of the Samaritan woman at the well offers hope. Christ meets us in our shame and pain, offering living water, forgiveness, and the possibility of new life—not just for us, but for those around us through our testimony of grace. [37:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:36] - Praying for Victims and God’s Presence
[04:58] - Introducing the Seventh Commandment
[05:22] - The Pervasiveness of Infidelity
[09:36] - The Biblical Context of Adultery
[11:28] - Adultery’s Consequences in Scripture
[13:28] - Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery
[17:29] - Self-Examination Before Judgment
[20:11] - A Positive Vision: Be Faithful in Marriage
[21:28] - Marriage as a Transformative Gift
[23:06] - Daily Choices and Sacrificial Love
[26:46] - Paul’s Vision: Outdoing One Another in Honor
[28:40] - Jesus Deepens the Commandment
[30:11] - Practical Steps to Enrich Marriage
[34:27] - A Word to Those Contemplating an Affair
[36:15] - The Samaritan Woman: Grace After Failure
[38:43] - Called to Love as Christ Loves Us
[39:29] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1. Exodus 20:14 (ESV) — > “You shall not commit adultery.”

2. John 8:3-11 (ESV) — > The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” ... Jesus stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” ... And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

3. John 4:7-26 (ESV) — > (The story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, who had five husbands and was living with a man not her husband. Jesus offers her “living water” and reveals himself as the Messiah.)

Observation Questions

According to the sermon, how was the seventh commandment (“Do not commit adultery”) originally understood in its ancient context? [10:13]
In the story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8), what did Jesus say to those who wanted to stone her, and what was the outcome? [13:57]
How does Jesus deepen or expand the meaning of the commandment against adultery in the Sermon on the Mount? [28:40]
What practical steps did the pastor suggest for couples who are struggling in their relationships? [30:11]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose to focus on the hearts and intentions of people, rather than just their outward actions, when talking about adultery? [28:40]
What does the story of the woman caught in adultery reveal about Jesus’ approach to sin, judgment, and mercy? [14:31]
The sermon describes marriage as a “transformative covenant” and a gift that makes us new. How does this view of marriage challenge or encourage you? [22:18]
For those who have experienced brokenness or failure in relationships, what hope does the story of the Samaritan woman at the well offer? [37:19]

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized that faithfulness in marriage is not just about avoiding a single act, but about daily choices to love, honor, and serve your partner. What is one small, specific way you could put your partner’s well-being above your own this week? [23:06]
Jesus challenges us to examine our own hearts before judging others. Is there an area in your life or relationships where you tend to judge others more harshly than yourself? What would it look like to practice self-examination and mercy instead? [15:47]
The pastor suggested remembering your story together and renewing your vows as ways to rekindle love. If you are married or in a committed relationship, when was the last time you intentionally reflected on your journey together? What could you do this week to celebrate or remember your story? [30:11]
For those who are single, divorced, or have experienced betrayal, the story of the Samaritan woman shows that Jesus meets us in our pain and offers new life. How does this truth speak to your own experiences of brokenness or shame? [37:19]
The sermon mentioned the importance of seeking help, such as counseling, when relationships are struggling. If you or someone you know is in a difficult season, what might be a first step toward getting support? [33:45]
Jesus’ teaching connects faithfulness to the transformation of our hearts, not just our actions. Are there thoughts, desires, or habits in your life that you sense God is inviting you to surrender or change? What is one step you could take this week? [28:40]
The pastor encouraged the group to “outdo one another in showing honor” (referencing Paul). What is one way you could show unexpected honor or kindness to your spouse, a friend, or a family member this week? [26:46]

Sermon Clips

Ultimately, when you boil this down, one out of every five couples is gonna have to deal with or have their marriage end because of an act of adultery or infidelity. That number doubles when you take into account things like emotional affairs where there's no physical touch, or you take into account pornography addiction or virtual affairs, or just the casual ogling of coworkers or friends. [00:07:51] (22 seconds) #HiddenAffairsImpact

What I've recognized is that there isn't an easy way to tackle this in a way that encompasses everybody. Because we all have unique stories. Unique relationships. Unique callings to live out in life and in love with each other. And we cannot, even though we are tempted to, throw stones at other marriages from the outside in. But instead Jesus calls us to evaluate our own relationships. Our own stories. Our own marriages. Our own abilities to live fully into what it means to be faithful in these relationships. Before judging others. [00:18:57] (43 seconds) #UniqueLoveStories

What this means is marriage becomes for us like baptism. It becomes one of those moments in our life where we receive this undeserved gift that we've done nothing to deserve. We receive this gift, it changes who we are and by God's grace we become brand new because of it. [00:21:54] (15 seconds) #MarriageAsGift

Marriage is receiving this gift that God has given to us in the form of a partner, a co-laborer, a companion and then responding to that gift that we've been given by pledging to live and to love with the love of Jesus Christ to love like Christ this co-laborer or companion until death do us part. And when we do that what happens is we become entirely new. Something brand new. Something that requires all that we have and all that we are. [00:22:20] (29 seconds) #NewCreationInMarriage

It's not fair for her to have to provoke me or deflate me or to correct me because it leads toward unwanted conflict but that's what love looks like. It requires making this conscientious decision to love the other, to bless the other, to serve the other, to lay down your life for another even if it's hard for you because this is what Jesus does for us. It's otherworldly. [00:25:53] (26 seconds) #UnwaveringLoveCommitment

This is what it looks like to be faithful in marriage. It looks like the cross. It looks like sacrifice. It looks like constantly being selfless for the other person and doing so together in covenant as this new creation made possible by the grace and the love of Jesus Christ. It requires everything we have, which means marriage at its best can be extraordinary, the best thing ever. [00:29:23] (30 seconds) #ClothedInChristlikeVirtues

If you're walking through your relationship and it's hard right now, and it feels like it's routine, like you're checking boxes, satisfying requirements, I want you to reach out and request a counseling referral. I want you to talk to somebody. Wendy and I, we think about our marriage, our life together, and what we consider our counselors to be, our preventative maintenance measures. It's like we change the oil in our cars. We try to change the oil, get a tune-up in our relationship because it's one of the most valuable things that we have that helps us to become better. Find someone to talk to. [00:33:34] (37 seconds) #RememberYourLoveStory

For those of you in this room that are in that place, what I urge you to do is to stop. I want you to pause, count to 10, and consider what will happen when you make that decision, when you click that site. When you engage that person virtually, or emotionally, or physically. I want you to think about what that decision's going to do, not for you, but for the generations that will follow you, for your family members and for your friends, for all those people in your life that you don't think about when you're engaging in that behavior. I want you to stop. [00:34:57] (56 seconds) #SeekHelpForMarriage

If your life has been impacted by extramarital affair or this breach of trust, this trespass, what you need to know is that there's hope. Christ's love is a love that doesn't let us go. It doesn't leave us or forsake us. Nothing can separate us from that love. There is always grace. There is always hope. [00:38:20] (20 seconds) #PauseBeforeTheFall

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