What Are Christian Dating Values? pt. 3

Mark 12:31

“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Ephesians 4:32

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Genesis 2:24

“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”

Let's continue with our examples of Christian dating values:

Empathy

Empathy is the basic principle of treating others how you would want to be treated. It’s the foundation of what Jesus teaches in Mark 12:31: "The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Empathy is central to Christian dating because it builds a solid foundation for trust and open communication, which are essential to any healthy relationship.

Forgiveness

Nobody is perfect, so forgiveness is a key value in Christian dating. It's about extending grace to your partner when they make mistakes, just as God extends grace to us. In Ephesians 4:32, we’re encouraged to "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Of course, it’s important to remember that forgiveness while dating doesn’t always mean you stay in the relationship. But it does mean you release any bitterness or resentment toward the person. This is for their benefit and yours.

Commitment

This value underlines the importance of dedication in a relationship. It's about sticking with your partner through thick and thin, just as God is committed to us. It encourages couples to work through challenges together, respecting the sanctity of the relationship. Genesis 2:24 gives us the premise of marriage: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." With this in mind, you can approach dating with a serious commitment to nurturing and building a relationship that has the potential to last a lifetime. This perspective invites you to view dating not as a casual endeavor but as a step toward a covenantal union.

Valuing empathy, forgiveness, and commitment in Christian dating sets you up to experience a deeply meaningful, respectful, and lasting relationship.