Skip to main content

Love Can Last: Biblical Principles for Lasting Relationships

 

"Christian couple holding hands with cross symbolizing lasting love in Christ"

Love Can Last: Lessons from Ephesians 5:29

"For no one ever hates their own bodies; instead, they nourish and cherish them just as the Lord does the church."  Ephesians 5:29 (KSB)

   In Ephesians 5, Paul offers us wise words for better living especially in our closest relationships. These principles apply to intimate partnerships, marriages, and even friendships. While some dismiss Paul’s words because he was never married, I believe that God’s wisdom can flow through anyone, regardless of marital status. Even those who are single, divorced, or widowed have valuable lessons to share. God uses all voices to teach us how to build lasting love and healthy relationships. Paul’s teaching is clear: it must be love. Lust is not enough. Lust fades, and attraction can shift. Sometimes the person you love excites you; sometimes they frustrate you. If a relationship is built only on lust or temporary attraction, it will not last. True love, however, endures. It transcends frustration, irritation, and even seasons of distance. As Paul reminds us, the love of Christ for the church is steady, faithful, and enduring. That is the kind of love we are called to cultivate.

   Paul also points to the importance of leadership in relationships. In his cultural context, this was expressed through a traditional model of husband-and-wife roles. But when we look deeper, we see the principle: every relationship needs leadership. Someone must lead in order to keep direction, unity, and peace. Leadership does not always have to rest on one person; it can be shared. One may lead in finances while the other leads in parenting or household management. Leadership can also shift by season. What matters most is agreement. As Scripture says, “How can two walks together unless they agree?” (Amos 3:3).

   Finally, Paul teaches us about leaving. “For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave unto his wife.” To step into lasting love, there are things we must leave behind. We cannot live as both single and married at the same time. Old habits, toxic influences, and immature patterns of behavior must be released. Sometimes we must leave behind comfort zones, people, or even mindsets to make room for true love. Love requires sacrifice, and leaving is part of that process. So, what are you willing to leave behind in order to fully embrace the love God has for you? Paul gives us three guiding principles for relationships that last

Lessons from Ephesians

1. Love (Ephesians 5:28)
2. Leadership (Ephesians 5:23)
3. Leaving (Ephesians 5:31)

📖 Reflection: What has been the most challenging thing for you to leave behind in order to grow in love?

💡 Action Step: Identify one old habit, mindset, or distraction you can let go of this week in order to strengthen your relationships.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hidden Treasure: You Are a Vessel, Not Just an Instrument

I AM Not an Instrument. I AM a Vessel “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” – 2 Corinthians 4:7 (KSB) Hidden in Plain Sight The image that Paul presents in 2 Corinthians 4 is that of a treasure hidden within an earthen vessel. In the Old Testament, people didn’t have locks, alarm systems, or cameras to protect their valuables. Instead, their belongings were often left exposed, making them vulnerable to thieves and robbers. To safeguard their most valuable treasures, they would hide them in jars of clay—earthen vessels—placing them in plain sight. A thief or robber would never think to look there because it wasn’t an obvious hiding place. Likewise, God has placed something valuable inside of you—a treasure of great worth. Yet, people often fail to see it. You may be right in front of them, but they don’t recognize your gifts, skills, talents, anointing, abilities, or sensitivities. You are hidden in plain sight bec...
Post a Comment
Read more

Universe Means One Thing: Love

  Universe Means One Thing: Love "For all the law is fulfilled in this one word, love: Love your neighbor as yourself."   Galatians 5:14 (KSB)    Sometimes, the word “universe” can feel mysterious even spooky to some. Others think it's irreverent or sacrilegious when used in spiritual conversations. But what if we redefined it? What if “universe” simply meant love? What if it meant God, since God is love?  When we say, “the universe,” we can think of it as pointing to one word love. Just one word. The entire Bible, composed of 66 books and written by over 40 different authors, ultimately speaks to one central theme: love. From beginning to end, this divine book points us toward loving God, loving ourselves, and loving others.  In the Old Testament, God's people had 636 laws civil, ceremonial, and moral. They guided everything from relationships to religious festivals. But then Jesus came and said, “Let me make this simple Love God. Love yourself. L...
Post a Comment
Read more
  The Kingdom is About Growth (Matthew 13:24-30)   The kingdom is about growth, not condemnation, judgment, sin, abomination, transgression, or iniquity. The kingdom of God is about growth. Jesus said it is like wheat and weeds, or "tares," as some versions say. As you grow, once you plant a seed in the ground, you don’t just get what you get; you also get weeds. As you keep growing, you will outgrow any behavior, any way of being, seeing, thinking, speaking, or acting that is not like God; you will outgrow it. Stop trying to pull up the weeds and keep growing. Stop trying to put people out of your life because some of the people you think are weeds are really wheat, and some of the people you feel are wheat might not be. Just keep growing, and it will automatically separate. Jesus said the growth in the kingdom is like a mustard seed. It starts as the smallest seed, but it’s potent. So do not despise the days of small beginnings; keep growing. Don’t compare yourself to a...
Post a Comment
Read more