Easter is a time when we remember what Jesus did for us, His death and resurrection. Yes, it’s also a time when there are lots of happy, fluffy lambs, Easter eggs, chocolates and bunnies, but the true meaning of Easter is and always will be about Jesus. It is a celebratory moment, but also a time full of hope, excitement and a new beginning. We can go through a range of emotions as we remember this important period in Christ’s life. What can we learn from this Easter season to help us become more Christian and what can we bring to our lives and relationships?
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. This is a verse we often remember at Easter.
Sacrifice
Love is a sacrifice. We must learn to love like Christ. Love is not selfish, actually 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 we learn that: “Love is patient, love is kind. He does not envy, he does not brag, he does not boast. It does not dishonor others, it is not selfish, it does not get angry easily, it does not keep a record of mistakes. Love does not rejoice in evil, but rejoices in the truth. He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
If we can demonstrate the love of Christ by adopting the above traits, then we will learn sacrificial love. It’s about dying to yourself and putting the other person first. We are naturally selfish people, we want the best for ourselves – “I deserve this”, “I’m not changing for anyone”, “I’m a good person, I should definitely have love”, “I want the best and won’t settle for less”. How many times do we hear ourselves say these sentences?
Love is what we can give and not what we can take, how can we better serve others and help others grow in Christ? Being in a relationship isn’t just about you – it’s about your partner too, so this is important to remember when dating. Of course, you don’t want to follow any red flags or be walked over, but if both parties are sacrificial and imitate God’s selfless love, then you will work toward a godly, Christian relationship.
Love
Everyone needs love. Love helps us thrive. Love fills us. Love is necessary to help us be compassionate, kind and godly. We know that it is better to give than to receive – giving love is important.
On a date or in a romantic relationship, the little things matter – little love notes, kind gestures, little ways to brighten up your date or your partner’s day – without needing anything in return, are all examples of how you can to love in a divine way. Think about the other person when you make decisions and let them know you’re thinking about it.
Jesus loves every person on this earth. By reading the Bible, you can see how much He loved even those who hurt Him. Love is central, keep the fire alive, keep finding new ways to show your love and learn how your partner feels loved.
Forgiveness
Among Jesus’ last words before he died were “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Forgiveness is vital to a long-term, safe and happy relationship. We need to move on from the past, forgive and not keep a record of mistakes. To make a relationship work, you can’t be stubborn and let things go unaddressed, as unforgiveness manifests itself in bad behavior, a toxic environment, and unhappiness.
To be godly, we must try and find a way to forgive when we have been hurt, we must not list past wrongs as a list to appear righteous or to “win” an argument. We all make mistakes and we should try to keep the peace. Instead, we must be humble as Jesus is humble, we must accept when we are wrong or forgive when needed.
Warm prayer
We know from the gospels that before Jesus was arrested, he went to pray in the garden, seeking God’s will and he prayed hard. We know from Luke that blood like sweat poured from His head. This is not just an “arrow” prayer, this is serious prayer.
We need to pray as individuals and as a couple. When we are single, we should pray for our future partner. it’s never too early to do this. Go somewhere alone and pray.
When we are in a relationship we should continue to pray for our partner both together and alone. We can fight many battles in our prayer closet. We can grow stronger together as a partnership when we struggle through prayer together as we put God at the center of our lives.
If there are things we are worried about going into a relationship or while we are in a relationship, we can turn them over to God. God can move mightily and perform miracles. We must be earnest in prayer and we must make it a priority.
Reassurance
After Jesus rose from the dead, it was not long before He made Himself known again, providing assurance to His friends, followers, and family. We all need reassurance and we all want to know that things are going to be okay. We can look to God for that assurance, but we can also reach out and talk to our partners.
Easter is a time to focus on Jesus, but also on how we can be more Christian in our attitudes and lifestyle. Try not to focus on the world during this time – it is superficial and although chocolates are nice, it is important to look up to heaven, seek Jesus and spend time with Him.
What did Jesus’ example on Easter teach you about love?
To read more about Easter on the Christian Connection blog, you might like What the Easter Story Teaches Us About Hope and Why We Should Worship God This Easter
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