Robert Sternberg's Triangular Model Of Love
This week in Saving your Marriage before it Starts, you had the opportunity to investigate Robert Sternberg's Triangular Model of Love. Using the Scriptures and existing literature, develop a biblical approach to a consummate love. What ingredients are introduced by Jesus or explained in the Word that are essential to a healthy, vibrant love that will stand the test of time and trials?
God sets the example in modeling His love for us. Throughout Scripture we see a Triangular Model of love. In the way He loves us he shows us Passion, Commitment, and Intimacy.
An example of His passion for us is shown through stopping at nothing to be reconciled with His creation, Jesus dying for us on the cross. In the area of marriage, Paul tells husbands
to love their wives as Christ loved the Church (Eph. 5:25). We should be willing to lay down our rights and expectations as Christ did to serve our spouse.
An example of commitment is God's unconditional love for us (Rom. 8:38,39). This commitment is not contingent on what we do for God and the same should be true in marriage. Love should be rooted firm in commitment, just as God's love is for us. True love is not based on expecting something in return but should be based on loving regardless of return because the person is committed to loving the other unconditionally.
Intimacy is the third area in this love triangle. Intimacy is found when a couple are experiencing true passion and commitment because the couple have built trust and they know each other. Psalm 139 speaks of of this intimate knowledge even to the point of knowing what someone is going to say before they speak, this is how well God knows us and is intimate with us. And this is how the married couple should go about learning to know each other.
In summary the steps of a solid marriage are built on laying down rights and expectations, being committed to loving unconditionally, and learning to trust and know each other.
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God sets the example in modeling His love for us. Throughout Scripture we see a Triangular Model of love. In the way He loves us he shows us Passion, Commitment, and Intimacy.
An example of His passion for us is shown through stopping at nothing to be reconciled with His creation, Jesus dying for us on the cross. In the area of marriage, Paul tells husbands
to love their wives as Christ loved the Church (Eph. 5:25). We should be willing to lay down our rights and expectations as Christ did to serve our spouse.
An example of commitment is God's unconditional love for us (Rom. 8:38,39). This commitment is not contingent on what we do for God and the same should be true in marriage. Love should be rooted firm in commitment, just as God's love is for us. True love is not based on expecting something in return but should be based on loving regardless of return because the person is committed to loving the other unconditionally.
Intimacy is the third area in this love triangle. Intimacy is found when a couple are experiencing true passion and commitment because the couple have built trust and they know each other. Psalm 139 speaks of of this intimate knowledge even to the point of knowing what someone is going to say before they speak, this is how well God knows us and is intimate with us. And this is how the married couple should go about learning to know each other.
In summary the steps of a solid marriage are built on laying down rights and expectations, being committed to loving unconditionally, and learning to trust and know each other.
wc-280