The subject of a recent Marriage Worship I conducted was called was ‘True Romance.’ I used Song of Solomon as my Scripture text. I want to share with you some of my thoughts about love, romance, and sex from a Biblical perspective.
Taken at face value, Solomon’s song is all about romance. Solomon recounts (1) his own days of courtship, (2) the early days of his first marriage, followed by (3) the maturing of this royal couple through the ups and downs of life. This small section of Scripture is given by God to demonstrate His intention for the romance and loveliness of marriage.
There are several themes that run through this poem (as noted in the Life Application Bible):
Sex.
Sex is God’s gift to His creatures. He endorses sex, but restricts its expression to those committed to each other. God wants sex to be motivated by love and commitment, not lust. It is for mutual pleasure, not selfish enjoyment.
Love.
As the relationship developed, the beauty and wonder of a romance unfolded between Solomon and his bride. The intense power of love affected the hearts, minds, and bodies of two lovers.
Because love is such a powerful expression of feeling and commitment between two people, it is not to b regarded casually. We are not to manipulate others into loving us, and love should not be prematurely encouraged in a relationship.
Commitment.
The power of love requires more than the language of feeling to protect it. Sexual expression is such an integral part of our selfhood that we need the boundary of marriage to safeguard our love. Marriage is the celebration of daily commitment to each other.
While romance keeps a marriage interesting, commitment keeps romance from dwindling away. The decision to commit yourself to your spouse alone begins at the marriage altar. It must be maintained day by day.
Beauty.
The two lovers praise the beauty they see in each other. The language they use shows the spontaneity and mystery of love. Our praise should not be limited to physical beauty; beautiful personality and moral purity should also be praised.
Our love for our spouse makes him or her appear beautiful. It is the inner qualities that keep love alive. Don’t just look for physical attractiveness in a spouse. Look for the qualities that don’t fade with time – spiritual commitment, integrity, sensitivity, and sincerity.
Problems.
Over time, feelings of loneliness, indifference, and isolation came between Solomon and his bride. During those times, love grew cold and barriers were raised.
Through careful communication, lovers can be reconciled, commitment can be renewed and romance refreshed. Don’t let walls come between you and your partner. Take care of problems while they are still small.
Which of these themes do you think most couples in America struggle with the most?