What about Romantic Relationships? (Part 2)

How can romantic relationships help us better understand who Jesus is? God-honoring romantic relationships can be great places to learn more about God’s love. In my own life, God has used my relationship with my fiancé to teach me about my relationship with Him. First, I’ve learned more about God’s love. When I consider how much my fiancé and I love each other, I’m reminded of how much more God loves both of us. As we love and serve each other, we are reminded of the way Jesus loves us and sacrificed Himself for us (Ephesians 5:2; 1 John 4:19). Second, I’ve learned how well God knows me. Sometimes, when we are on a date, my boyfriend will ask if I want to split mozzarella sticks, and I’ll debate and then refuse. He’ll go ahead and order them for himself and, lo and behold, guess who actually wants mozzarella sticks? This simple way that my fiancé knows me so well pales in comparison to how deeply God knows me (Psalm 139:1-4; John 10:14). Third, my relationship has been a reminder that God made people to be in community (Genesis 1”€œ2). Some Christians are called to singleness and others are called to marriage, so romantic relationships leading to marriage are one way—but not the only way—Christians can experience community (1 Corinthians 7). Ultimately, marriage points to Jesus because the church—all Christians around the world and throughout history—is called the bride of Christ, a picture of the kind of sacrificial love Jesus has for His people (Ephesians 5:25-26). He died for our sins, rose again, and promises to return to dwell with us forever. And, in the meantime, He dwells with us through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, as Christians— whether we are single, married, or on the way to being married—we are perfectly loved and known in Christ. • Naomi Zylstra • What does the death of Jesus for your sin have to do with your approach to romance? What does a Jesus-centered relationship look like? To dig into this subject, check out Matthew 19:4-6, 1 Corinthians 6:9-20 and 13:4-7, 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, Ephesians 5, and Hebrews 13:4. • If you have questions about what this looks like, who is a trusted Christian in your life—such as a pastor, counselor, or parent—you can bring those questions to? Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:2 (NLT)

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Ephesians 5