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the Bible says sexual relations should only be between a husband and wife

I think it also says that the sole "reason" for divorce should be adultery proven by at least two witnesses. And then if that cannot be proven, the couple should remain together or else remain celibate separately. It also eludes that any sexual relations after the accusation of adultery is a sign of forgiveness. Now how many Christians follow that to the letter? Make divorce harder to get with the threat of 50/50 joint custody for any children from the union and you'll see divorce rates plummet and marriage (and childbearing) increase. And I like that "facial mole" analogy with the constant oppresive "activism" of the liberal, gay left.

Now how many Christians follow that to the letter?

I hope we all remember that the Bible does not contain an exception for the unrepentent sinner from God's wrath; even if everyone around him is sinning. God's mercy and love towards sinners is revealed in what the Apostle Paul describes as being "born again"; we must accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, by the Grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ we are saved. And the old man within us will die, God's Holy Spirit will dwell within the Believer, which will allow us to overcome sin. No human can resist the temptation to sin without the assistance of the Holy Spirit. I know this from experience. People are often misguided about "backsliding". God being the Creator certainly means that the Holy Spirit would have enough power to stop me from commiting a sin. Every time Jesus forgave there was an understanding of not sinning any more, e.g., go and sin no more. Forgiveness was for past sins, not a "get out of jail free card" for the future. If a person continues to sin they are not saved at that point. They may eventually come to Christ; even unto their deathbed this is possible.

The Apostle Paul writes of being in bondage to Christ and was joyful about being bought with a price; the Christian who has repented and is saved has a duty to obey Christ and this is very emphatically stated in the New Testament. Truly, many are called but few are chosen.

Scriptural marriage guidelines are rarely followed; as far as the "modern" way of our legal system and current social mores, it's so far off it's lost. With many people, it's not a binding contract which involves God any more, it's just the status of a contract between two people. When the Believer marries, they become subject to all scriptural marriage guidelines which elminate most of the difficulties most couples have.