Relationships are essential to our life, because God made us for community – we’re not meant to live this life alone. But, relationships can be difficult to navigate at any stage, whether you’re brand new to the relationship or whether you’ve been journeying together for years.
We can see the trickiness and miscommunications that can happen in relationships in the Pure Flix Original movie, “Heaven Sent.” Throughout the movie, we meet three different Christian couples at various stages of their relationship status: young love that’s just blossoming, a married couple working through some bumps in the road and an older couple who’s rediscovering love again.
WATCH NOW: TRAILER FOR "HEAVEN SENT"! Here's the synopsis: Elise, a grandmother hurt by her past, and Patrick, a widowed pastor, have closed the door on love. But with faith and a little help from technology, will their live-streamed romance find a way?
“Heaven Sent” has many messages about how to navigate relationships, communication and Christian dating, as does Scripture. We’re doing a deep dive into some well-known Bible verses about Christian dating and relationships that are on display in this movie.
What Does the Bible Say About Christian Relationships?
All relationships have ups and downs. Even communities back in Biblical times – such as the people of Corinth (see 1 Corinthians 1:10-12 NIV) had arguments, differences and miscommunications (Genesis 11:8-9 NIV). There are many Bible verses about relationships that tell us God's intent for how all different types of relationships in our lives should function in order to honor Him.
1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
In any relationship, there will ultimately be times when you don’t see eye to eye, which may result in some conflict or argument. In these instances, it’s easy to let the anger color our vision and forget all the good we see in the other person. This Bible verse about relationships reminds us that in the Christian dating world, in all circumstances and challenges we encounter with our partner, we must love them above all.
Kenny and Theresa in “Heaven Sent” are a married couple who are experiencing some bumps in the road. We see them struggle to get on the same page with each other and not being able to communicate their needs effectively. But, when push comes to shove, Kenny and Theresa profess their love for each other when it’s most important. It’s only after their profession of love that they’re able to come together and work through the miscommunications they had.
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Genesis 2:18 (NIV)
“The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’”
From this Bible verse about relationships, we can see clearly that God created man and woman to be together for companionship, love and friendship. Desiring a companion and partner in life is an ingrained human trait, one that God named in the very beginning.
In “Heaven Sent,” while Derek loves his grandmother, he desires companionship of people his own age, which is why he starts meeting people online, including Corrine. Derek enjoys Corrine’s company, advice and conversation. It isn’t until Corrine confesses that she likes him that Derek is able to open up about his own feelings about the relationship.
James 1:19 (NIV)
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
How many times do we, as humans, do just the opposite of James 1:19 and are actually slow to listen and quick to speak? But this wasn’t how Jesus taught us to be as Christians in any type of relationship. Jesus teaches us to be patient, listen to others and only speak when words are necessary. In the world of Christian dating, we must be open to listening to our partner and only speaking after gathering our thoughts and when the Holy Spirit moves us to speak.
Elise and Patrick experience some miscommunication when they both jump to conclusions about the other without first hearing each other’s side of the story. Instead of listening to each other, they both create their own version of the story and don’t give the other a chance to truly explain the facts. It isn’t until they both slow down, listen to each other and then speak that they are able to understand the truth of what was happening.
Romans 12:4-5 (NIV)
“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
Bible verses about relationships extend beyond those of romantic relationships. All relationships are important – including our friendships, relationships with our neighbors and with our family. This Bible verse about relationships tells us that it is good for us to each have unique and individual gifts that we bring into the relationship. Our differences and different talents can be used together for the greater good, creating synergy, rather than us all being the exact same, or trying to compete with each other through our gifts and talents.
1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV)
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Familial relationships are just as important as romantic relationships in the life of a Christian. 1 Timothy 5:8 tells us to be attentive to these familial relationships, cultivating them and opening our hearts and homes to our relatives.
This Bible verse about relationships is a direct reflection of the relationship between Elise and her grandson Derek. Elise opens her home and her heart to welcome Derek after he lost his father. She raises him with such attentiveness, compassion and love that they become best friends, doing everything together – to the point where Derek even helps Elise run her soap business. Their relationship shows how family members are able to open their hearts and homes for each other.
READ ALSO: KAREN ABERCROMBIE ON THE MESSAGE OF HER NEW PURE FLIX ORIGINAL MOVIE 'HEAVEN SENT'
What Does it Mean to be in a Christian Relationship?
Christian dating is a hard world to navigate. Thankfully, Scripture is there to guide us and help us through these relationships. Let's take a look at some Bible verses about relationships that tell us what it means to be in a Christian relationship.
Ephesians 5:22-23 (NIV)
“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.”
In a Christian relationship, including Christian marriages, a husband and wife’s relationship mirrors that of Christ and his Church. This Bible verse about relationships in particular is the foundation of that truth.
When Kenny and Theresa are having conflict in their marriage, we learn it is because of different expectations for the relationship. Kenny wants to feel more appreciated by Theresa whereas Theresa feels she’s giving all she can give. It’s not until Theresa recognizes that she isn’t serving her husband the way he is asking her to that they’re able to reconcile.
Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
As you enter a relationship with another person, it’s important to find someone who will lead you closer to Christ, rather than into sin. This Bible verse about relationships challenges us to find a significant other who influences us and encourages us to become a better Christian.
In “Heaven Sent,” Elise finds that type of person in Patrick, who inspires her to go back to church after having fallen off that path for years. Patrick’s devotion to his ministry and his parish is an admirable trait that Elise sees and something that encourages her to do the same.
Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV)
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Bible verses about relationships and Christian dating give us guidance on how we should conduct ourselves when we’re with our significant other. Ephesians 4:2-3 is a great verse to keep in mind when we’re struggling to communicate lovingly with one another and navigate difficult conversations.
In “Heaven Sent,” we see Elise have some difficult conversations – not only with her new beau, Patrick, but with her ex-husband as well. Elise keeps these principles in mind, of being humble and speaking with gentleness and grace, as she navigates these rather sticky situations. In the end, we see her communication style in this way is effective, as well as grants peace to both parties involved.
READ ALSO: 29 BIBLE VERSES ABOUT WIVES, MARRIAGE AND LOVE
What is the Goal of a Christian Relationship?
The goal of any Christian relationship – whether you’re dating, with friends, relatives or are married – should be to love one another unconditionally. There are many Bible verses about relationships that share this sentiment:
John 13:34 (NIV)
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Leviticus 19:18 (NIV)
“‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.’”
Mark 12:30-31 (NIV)
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.”
Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NIV)
“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.”
Ephesians 5:28 (NIV)
“In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.”
John 15:13 (NIV)
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
We hope these Bible verses about relationships inspire you to learn how you can better show up in your own relationships with your significant other, your relatives and your friends. Be sure to watch all the relationship up and downs in the Pure Flix Original movie “Heaven Sent” now streaming.
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