BBC premarital counseling booklet-1 - Flipbook - Page 8
Topic #2
LOVE
Love is an unconditional commitment to an imperfect person. This is an illustration of the
kind of love God has toward us. When you realize that your mate-to-be is imperfect, and
you still accept him/her, then the relationship can grow.
You know you love another person when meeting the needs of that person becomes
one of your needs.
In order to meet the emotional needs of another, or love another person, you must
first love yourself. When you realize that you are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27)
you experience a sense of being with him, of belonging to him. You are a person created in
the likeness of God. You feel a sense of worth when you recognize the fact that God sent
His Son to die for you (Romans 5:8). God loves you. You are valuable. When you feel
that you are a worthwhile person who belongs to God, you feel good about yourself. This is
the beginning point of loving others – love yourself.
To love another person is to strive to obtain the highest respect for that person. Christ
models this love in His death and His eternal living in us.
Love is a process that must develop just as children develop into adults. There is a
difference between childish love (immature love) and mature love. The chart on the
following page illustrates the difference between the two.
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