What is the basis of a Christian relationship?

You can't find the word "courtship" in the whole Bible. However, there are passages about engagement and marriage.

A great example of a Christian-based relationship in the Bible is the relationship between Mary and Joseph. They were both engaged and did not have sexual relations before marriage.

There was a fairly serious relationship between the two, who were probably old enough to be considered teenagers today.

You can't find anything about dating in the Bible because this type of commitment didn't exist in the region or in the culture of the time when the sacred texts were written.

However, the basis of a Christian courtship lies in the Bible. For Christian practitioners, dating is equivalent to an engagement.

After all, what is the basis of a Christian relationship?

This means that Christians see dating as an engagement, a stage before marriage. Therefore, the two members of the couple should not date until they know each other very well.

Furthermore, the basis of Christian dating is that it is the commitment that precedes marriage, without exception. In other words, dating a person with Christian principles is already an announcement of a soon marriage.

In this sense, dating is the same as an engagement. This is the true basis for a Christian dating relationship. In addition, there are some practices that the couple should have while they are dating, such as:

• Having the goal of getting married as soon as possible after a serious relationship, like Joseph and Mary;
• No intimacy before the wedding, not even just "fooling around";
• Love God above all things, in other words, don't put Christian practice aside just because you're dating;
• Continue Christian practices as a couple, such as fasting, praying, learning the Bible, going to church or Mass, among other practices.

In this sense, the basis of a Christian courtship is to equate this commitment with an engagement. As for marriage, there is plenty of material in the Bible for lessons on how to have a Christian marriage.

What is the basis of a Christian marriage?

Since we've already explained in the article what the basis of a Christian courtship is, it's time to find out what the basis for marriage is, since courtship is a commitment to a later marriage in Christianity. Here are some practices for maintaining a healthy Christian marriage:

1.  Following Jesus

The Bible is a compilation of texts with Jesus' teachings. It's important to make a habit of praying together with your partner to strengthen your marriage, get through conflicts together and keep love burning, as exemplified in Thessalonians 5:17.

2.  Being faithful

It is essential to be faithful to your spouse during your marriage. According to Proverbs 5:18-20, maintaining a happy and stable marriage brings more happiness than committing betrayal.

To curb unfaithful impulses and thoughts, you can pray to be able to master them, as taught in Romans 12:2.

3.  Be respectful

Your partner was hand-picked by you, created in the image of God, as stated in Genesis 1:27. In other words, they are a special person who deserves respect. This also applies to the other person: respect must be mutual from the start of the relationship.

4.  Do right by your spouse

Unfortunately, people today are very self-centered, cultivating self-centeredness, selfishness, vanity and pride. These are all defects that need to be combated in a Christian marriage, as taught in Philippians 2:4.

5.  Forgive mistakes

Your spouse isn't perfect, and neither are you. However, the Bible teaches the power and necessity of forgiveness when conflicts arise. With the openness of reconciliation, there is balance in a healthy Christian marriage. You can learn this lesson from Colossians 3:13.

6.  Have assertive communication

Maintaining healthy communication is ideal for having a Christian marriage. This means always being open to listening and talking. There is no relationship sustained by silence, hurts, regrets, lack of alignment of goals and many other problems that a lack of assertive communication brings, as stated in Amos 3:3.

7.  Have perseverance

A Christian marriage is for life, just as dating is for commitment to marry soon. It is as it says in Matthew 19:6: God has joined you together in marriage, so no one has the power to separate you. Continue to persevere in your commitment to marriage, even with the challenges of time. 

Thus, the basis for a true Christian marriage is to follow these important biblical precepts.