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Christ-Centered Dating
By Nathalie Medrano
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever shall believe in Him shall not perish but have eternal salvation," John 3:16.
Just mention this verse and any Christian worth his salt from here to Timbuktu will be able to recite it word for word. The only difference maybe would be the language used.
This is the basic principle that every Christian tries to live by. This is what the Church is teaching its followers--- that life should have Christ in the center of everything.
Nevertheless, despite its teachings, the Church has always been a very lenient parent to its children. Hence, many have set aside most of the teachings they have been taught early on, especially those with regards to dating and relationships. The age-old traditions have become outdated that one of the major issues that is being staunchly argued today is that of premarital sex.
With a society that grows almost everyday and every minute, and the dynamic global exchange of information, it is no wonder that the Church's teachings on the values of sex and relationships have significantly diminished. Add to this the combined influence of media, peers, the environment, and sometimes even the family, makes it seem alright and normal for couples who are dating to let go of their beliefs.
But I'm not saying that having sex is bad, or that the sexual act itself is wrong. Even the Church believes that sexual intercourse when done at the right place and at the right time is a holy act.
It is the sexual act "outside" of marriage that makes it not acceptable to the Church and its teachings. The Bible suggests that there should be marriage first before sexual relations may be initiated. Marriage, according to the Church, means inviting God into the relationship to bond the love between the man and woman, husband and wife. Without the sanctity of marriage, the sexual act outside of it reduces the holiness of the act. Hence, it is no better than what we see from animals--- something to ease the basic and desirous feelings in us. It is merely a physiological experience that every person, and even animal for that matter, feels toward the opposite sex.
Because of the prevailing rate of young adults engaging in premarital sex, the Church is constantly reminding everyone of the teachings that Jesus himself has taught us.
The Church reminds us to go against the "in" thing and adopt a Christ-centered life on dating. This involves a greater responsibility of having self-control especially when it comes to letting go of emotions and engaging in premarital sex with one's partner because of the over abundance of love and devotion we're feeling towards the other person.
Furthermore, the Church espouses that dating may be done in accordance with the teachings of Christianity as a whole--- that of having Jesus Christ in the center of the relationship.
Jesus Christ came to earth to show love, give love, and be the example of real love. His sacrifice in the cross is and always will be the ultimate example of real love. He gave His own life for the salvation of humanity. This is what the Church teaches about the essence of real love.
However, this does not mean that we should also lay down our lives for the people we love dearly to be like Christ. The Church says that it is enough that we accept Christ and make Him the center of our love and all other actions and experiences associated with it, including dating. With this teaching in our hearts and in our minds, we won't be tempted to easily let go of our necessity to connect with our partners in the most basic way, which is sex.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever shall believe in Him shall not perish but have eternal salvation," John 3:16.
This is the very basic principle that the Church is trying to teach us. In everything that we do, even with dating other people, it must have Jesus Christ as its center. Without Christ, none of the things we do will ever be able to satisfy and make our lives complete.
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