A Christian Perspective of True Love

People often confuse infatuation, physical attraction and/or a sexually intimate relationship for true love. Love is a difficult term to define and people often have different expectations of love. There are several forms of love other than romantic love; however, most people know how to distinguish between the various types of love. Although people differentiate romantic love from other types of love, they often have difficulty determining if it is true love. How do we know if love is real?

Love from a Christian perspective looks to the Bible for answers. 1 Corinthians 13:4 provides a description. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

True love does not wane but grows stronger over time. True love weathers all storms and endures. Not all relationships are built on a foundation of love. People often get involved in relationships for money, loneliness or other reasons. Relationships that aren't rooted in true love may not be able to stand the test of time or the stress of daily life.

People sometimes commit to relationships too quickly without getting to know their partners well enough. A woman may find that her partner is an excellent lover but lacks in other areas of the relationship. A man may find that his beautiful wife does not want children although he has always hoped for a large family. These people did not take the time to get to know their partners well enough. People often confuse infatuation or attraction for love. Infatuation is not true love. Attraction is not true love. True love may begin with attraction and infatuation but true love continues on and goes much deeper. True love develops over time as a bond forms between two people.

True love grows and endures. A relationship needs to be cultivated and nourished if it is going to grow to be healthy and strong. There are times in a relationship when you have to make concessions. Sometimes it is necessary to put your partner's needs before your own. That's what true love is about. Trust and honesty are also necessary components of a loving, lasting relationship. A healthy relationship is a compromise. True love doesn't have to be a fairytale romance where every moment is a "happily ever after" experience. True love undergoes difficulties and overcomes. True love is an experience forged in the fire of life. It is a lesson in patience and perseverance with rewards that last a lifetime.