Relationships from a Christian Perspective
So I know that my friend, Sabine, posted about Love as a Fruit of the Spirit. But, what about "lovey love"? I will try to help answer this question.
First off, if you are feeling bad about not having a 'soulmate' or a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/fiance that is okay. Paul says in 1 Corinthians that "to the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am." (7:8) No relationship is perfect when humans are involved. Often you can save yourself strive by not getting into a relationship. I mean, I would not mind if I stayed single my whole life: cheaper food, way less stress, and no 'rules' except for what the government and bible say as well as what you chose. For example, if you want to eat ice cream on the couch, you don't have any spouse telling you not to. Or singing in the shower. Or almost anything like that...maybe a midnight snack? Anyway, I hope you get the idea.
While I say that, I also have to explain that there is nothing wrong with being married. God encourages us to be in relationships. In fact, if you continue reading 1 Corinthians 7:10 "To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband...". God directly commands those who are married to stay married, and as the first before said it was more of a 'suggestion' to not get married. God created women FOR men in Genesis.
Also, we are clearly told in the New Testament that we are not to be unequally yoked (2 Cor 6:14). This example is most likely referring to that of two oxen being yoked together to plow in the field. The oxen would be unequally yolked if one ox were pulling one direction while the other was pulling another direction. Eventually, one would have to give up and go the other way. If believers were in an unequal relationship, the unbeliever would pull away from following God. In the same way, we are not made to be 'yoked' to life with someone who is not saved. For those who are saved and have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior, it is not biblical to marry someone who has not. It is better, in this case, to not marry at all. Again, this goes back to our lives being solely for the purpose of Giving God Glory, which is much harder if not impossible when in a wrong relationship. I am not going to never talk to you again or look down on you if you are in a relationship with someone that is not saved. It works similarly to being friends with unbelievers. Often, the Christian thinks "If I date/ am friends with this one person, I will change them to make them see the Truth and become a Christain, too." Sadly, this is rarely the case. It's a call you have to make, but like I mentioned the bible commands us (as Christians) not to marry someone who is not a Christian.
The most popular verse(s) for Valentines Day is 1 Corinthians 13- known as the Love Chapter. I wonder why? It is because the entire 13 verses talk about what is called 'agape love'. While agape love is for those who are your neighbors or are not in any way specifically related to marital relationships, these are good to apply to those 'special someone' in your life. Verses 4-7say "Love is patient, love is kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hope all things, endures all things."
Trust me, I know it is hard.
-Mary
First off, if you are feeling bad about not having a 'soulmate' or a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/fiance that is okay. Paul says in 1 Corinthians that "to the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am." (7:8) No relationship is perfect when humans are involved. Often you can save yourself strive by not getting into a relationship. I mean, I would not mind if I stayed single my whole life: cheaper food, way less stress, and no 'rules' except for what the government and bible say as well as what you chose. For example, if you want to eat ice cream on the couch, you don't have any spouse telling you not to. Or singing in the shower. Or almost anything like that...maybe a midnight snack? Anyway, I hope you get the idea.
While I say that, I also have to explain that there is nothing wrong with being married. God encourages us to be in relationships. In fact, if you continue reading 1 Corinthians 7:10 "To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband...". God directly commands those who are married to stay married, and as the first before said it was more of a 'suggestion' to not get married. God created women FOR men in Genesis.
Also, we are clearly told in the New Testament that we are not to be unequally yoked (2 Cor 6:14). This example is most likely referring to that of two oxen being yoked together to plow in the field. The oxen would be unequally yolked if one ox were pulling one direction while the other was pulling another direction. Eventually, one would have to give up and go the other way. If believers were in an unequal relationship, the unbeliever would pull away from following God. In the same way, we are not made to be 'yoked' to life with someone who is not saved. For those who are saved and have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior, it is not biblical to marry someone who has not. It is better, in this case, to not marry at all. Again, this goes back to our lives being solely for the purpose of Giving God Glory, which is much harder if not impossible when in a wrong relationship. I am not going to never talk to you again or look down on you if you are in a relationship with someone that is not saved. It works similarly to being friends with unbelievers. Often, the Christian thinks "If I date/ am friends with this one person, I will change them to make them see the Truth and become a Christain, too." Sadly, this is rarely the case. It's a call you have to make, but like I mentioned the bible commands us (as Christians) not to marry someone who is not a Christian.
The most popular verse(s) for Valentines Day is 1 Corinthians 13- known as the Love Chapter. I wonder why? It is because the entire 13 verses talk about what is called 'agape love'. While agape love is for those who are your neighbors or are not in any way specifically related to marital relationships, these are good to apply to those 'special someone' in your life. Verses 4-7say "Love is patient, love is kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hope all things, endures all things."
Trust me, I know it is hard.
-Mary
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