"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
1st Corinthians 13:7 ESV
There is no clearer way that I know to show your true character than your relationships. Simply the way that you treat others and how you expect them to treat you. And the way that you handle relationships, particularly your close ones, will impact every other area of your life in one way or another.
I think a lot of people are confused about relationships, especially marriage. Some people seek to dominate the relationship, others are almost completely passive. And who can blame them for those extremes because most haven't had the best role models when it comes to relationships and what a healthy one is. Many moms and dads either haven't' been around or simply didn't demonstrate how to truly love someone else. (I'm not talking about the "butterflies" I am referring to sacrificial love.) Society hasn't picked up the slack either. Hollywood puts out movies and tv shows that focus on the erotic side of love that is very light on emotional, spiritual, and sacrificial love.
And those who look to the church to clear up the confusion they feel are often disappointed. They either find misinterpretations of Scripture that often time overemphasize the "head of household" control or misinterpretations of Christ that show Him as passive and weak. (Trust me, He wasn't either of those things!) Ladies, men are not meant to be passive or weak or completely subservient. And fellas, women are something to be valued and cherished above all. They are not there to serve us and be slaves to our homes. I have found that good examples of true love are harder and harder to find these days.
According to the Scripture above, love means doing everything for the other persons benefit. That doesn't mean passively giving in to the other person's every demand and it definitely doesn't mean dominating the relationship. It means making every decision with the other persons well being in mind. Whether this is in a marriage, family, or friendship, the principle is exactly the same. Love is to always seek to strengthen and benefit others.
To truly love someone, we need to be active in the other persons life. We have to talk to them, most importantly listen to them. We have to invest our time and attention into them. Be interested. Be supportive. Be involved. Real love will not only change their lives it will change yours too. We are all called to love people the way Christ did, in a sacrificial, others centered, and enduring way.
1st Corinthians 13:7 ESV
There is no clearer way that I know to show your true character than your relationships. Simply the way that you treat others and how you expect them to treat you. And the way that you handle relationships, particularly your close ones, will impact every other area of your life in one way or another.
I think a lot of people are confused about relationships, especially marriage. Some people seek to dominate the relationship, others are almost completely passive. And who can blame them for those extremes because most haven't had the best role models when it comes to relationships and what a healthy one is. Many moms and dads either haven't' been around or simply didn't demonstrate how to truly love someone else. (I'm not talking about the "butterflies" I am referring to sacrificial love.) Society hasn't picked up the slack either. Hollywood puts out movies and tv shows that focus on the erotic side of love that is very light on emotional, spiritual, and sacrificial love.
And those who look to the church to clear up the confusion they feel are often disappointed. They either find misinterpretations of Scripture that often time overemphasize the "head of household" control or misinterpretations of Christ that show Him as passive and weak. (Trust me, He wasn't either of those things!) Ladies, men are not meant to be passive or weak or completely subservient. And fellas, women are something to be valued and cherished above all. They are not there to serve us and be slaves to our homes. I have found that good examples of true love are harder and harder to find these days.
According to the Scripture above, love means doing everything for the other persons benefit. That doesn't mean passively giving in to the other person's every demand and it definitely doesn't mean dominating the relationship. It means making every decision with the other persons well being in mind. Whether this is in a marriage, family, or friendship, the principle is exactly the same. Love is to always seek to strengthen and benefit others.
To truly love someone, we need to be active in the other persons life. We have to talk to them, most importantly listen to them. We have to invest our time and attention into them. Be interested. Be supportive. Be involved. Real love will not only change their lives it will change yours too. We are all called to love people the way Christ did, in a sacrificial, others centered, and enduring way.
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