How A Christian Couple Would Apply These Beliefs In Their Married Life

A Christian couple would most likely apply their beliefs with an everlasting marriage, one that stays strong and provides a welcoming foundation for a family. The family is not merely an invention of society, but an institution founded by God himself. The family is God's agency for populating the earth with people who would love God and be loved by Him. It is to be formed exclusively through a loving lifelong marriage covenant between a man and a woman.

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth"

The Bible is filled with teaching on the family and stories that tell of the triumph and tragedy of families. Both the Old and New Testaments contain numerous reflections on the roles of father, mother and children. The clear message of Scripture is that individuals and families suffer when lives are not lived in accordance with God's standards. Numerous biblical tragedies are played out in the context of families. When people fail to fulfill their proper functions in the family, they and their families suffer.

The husband is first and foremost called by God to love his wife.

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones"

The husband is to provide leadership as he models the Christian faith (beliefs and way of living) before his family. He is to reflect in his life the character and virtues of the Christian faith. This happens when he lives a life of integrity, faithfulness, and obedience to God. The physical, material, emotional and spiritual needs of the family are to be met by the husband and father to the very best of his ability. He is to provide security and protection for his family. There is no biblical justification for not meeting these needs. It is his duty before God.

"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."

Both husband and wife are to lovingly fulfill each other's sexual needs. Each should seek to understand the sexual needs of their spouse. The God-given gift of intercourse in marriage is much more than a physical act. This intimate union in the marriage has a positive and profound impact on the family and is to be shared only with one's lifelong marriage partner.

The wife is called by God to love, respect, and be faithful to her husband.

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body."

As a wife and mother she is to be a role model of godliness and do her best to meet the family's needs. The Bible calls her inward character her beauty. She is to model purity and