Dating and Marriage are two different aspects of coming together between a man and a woman when it comes to Love. A marriage is a lifetime commitment, while dating is a process of knowing each other better before deciding on a love relationship!
Though these wonderful aspects of human life are often talked about together, they are two different things! Marriage is an institution created by God where a man leaves his parents and cleaves to his wife to become one as husband and wife. It involves commitment from a man and a woman to be together for the rest of their lives.
And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Matthew 19:4-6
Before deciding on marriage, dating is most times necessary because it helps in getting to know the person you may want to spend the rest of your life with. In recent times, the idea of marriage has been changing. It’s no longer seen as a necessary step in a relationship.
Now, dating is something that people do when they’re ready and when they know that they want to be with a person forever. Of course, there are still people who get married because their families influence it or because they think that it’s the right thing to do, but more and more couples decided to marry themselves before going into dating, making the purpose of dating less relevant!
Dating is more like searching and finding the right person, it's not sleeping around to find the right person but spending time with persons you may be comfortable with to know the right one you can give your commitment to!
The goal of Christian dating is not to have a fun partner but to find a spouse. This is very important as you get to know one another, and if you’re not ready to commit to a relationship with the end goal of marriage, it’s better not to go on a date but simply to remain friends. "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world." 1John 2:16
Marriage, on the other hand, is not about finding the right person, but about becoming the right person. It is about committing yourself to your spouse and making things work no matter what. It takes hard work, dedication, and compromise to have a successful marriage. Dating is a journey, while marriage is a destination.
Dating may be a process of trial and error. You learn about yourself and the other person as you go along. It’s a journey of discovery. When you get married, you’re committing to each other forever. It’s a decision that should not be taken lightly. Marriage is a lifetime commitment.
Dating comes out to be searching for a love life while marriage is about having a love life. When you are dating, you are trying to find someone that you want to spend your life with. When you are married, you have decided to share your life with that person. You have decided to build a life with the person. Marriage is built on trust and commitment.
Marriage is a covenant relationship between a husband and wife that is built on love, trust, and commitment. When two people marry, they promise to love, cherish, and be committed to one another for the rest of their lives. Marriage is a sacred institution that has been ordained by God and should be taken seriously. It is a lifelong commitment that requires patience, sacrifice, and hard work.
A successful marriage takes effort from both husband and wife and it may not always be easy! However, with God’s help, it can be a beautiful thing when it's built on true love! "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1Corinthians13:4-7
Some people may prefer to date because it gives them more freedom and flexibility. They don’t have to worry about being committed to one person, they date around most times to find the best that can give them a good reason to take it further into a committed relationship. Have it in mind that Christian dating should be pure and bed undefiled! "Marriage is honourable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge." Hebrews 13:4
Therefore, you must learn to trust someone else before getting into a relationship. When you meet the right person for you, it is fundamental to give them a little time before committing to them. Never rush things, since the main goal is marriage! Those who rush into a marriage most times want to rush out!
To those who are yet to get married, may the grace of the Lord help you to make the right choice and to those who are married, may the peace, joy and presence of the Lord take over your marriage in Jesus' name (Amen)
Blessing!