(Mal. 2:14). As a holy covenant made with God, Christian marriage implies a freely chosen, lifelong, exclusive relationship between the husband and wife under the authority of God. A covenant is the most solemn binding agreement into which two parties can enter. Marriage is not contractual but rather covenantal. It is important to note the difference between a covenant and a contract. A covenant is based on trust between parties; a contract is based on distrust. A covenant is based on unlimited responsibility;