UBCNews - Business - How To Be Romantic In A Godly Relationship? What Bible Stories Teach About Love

Episode Date: November 19, 2025

Welcome back, everyone! Today we're looking at something that touches all our hearts—love stories. But not the typical ones. We're talking about the ones found in the Bible and what they can teach us about modern relationships. Have you ever wondered what ancient texts might reveal about building a healthy, godly romance today? Wordsmith World City: Big Spring Address: Texas Website: https://bettyjohansen.com/

Welcome back, everyone. Today we're looking at something that touches all our hearts. Love stories, but not the typical ones. We're talking about the ones found in the Bible and what they can teach us about modern relationships. Have you ever wondered what ancient texts might reveal about building a healthy, godly romance today? It's such a rich topic. You know, when most people think about the Bible, they don't immediately think romance, but it's actually full of beautiful relationships built on love and loyalty, not ambition or convenience. Right, exactly. And one story that really stands out is the Book of Ruth. This short but epic tale, compact enough for a quick read,

yet it models something profound about love, doesn't it? Absolutely. The story of Ruth and Boaz goes beyond romance. Ruth's actions toward her mother-in-law Naomi are called Loyal Love, or in Hebrew, Kest. that word is marked by affection, generosity, forgiveness, and deep commitment. Cassad. I love that. So the focus is devotion and action. Ruth chose to stay with Naomi even when it meant suffering and uncertainty. That's powerful.

Exactly. And then Boaz enters the picture. He's a wealthy landowner, and Ruth is this vulnerable immigrant woman gleaning leftover grain in his fields. But instead of exploiting that power dynamic, Boaz treats her with respect and kindness. He protects her and even instructs his workers to leave extra grain for her. So the relationship between Ruth and Boaz models a healthy dynamic between a powerful man and a vulnerable woman. That definitely speaks to our time, especially with all the conversations around respect and mutual support in relationships. For sure, Annum, the story highlights key

principles like honesty and mutual support. Boaz becomes what's called a kinsman redeemer. He pays a price to redeem Naomi's family estate and marry raise Ruth ensuring both women are cared for. Mm-hmm, I see. That point about the kinsman Redeemer and sacrificial love sets up our next piece, how the Bible defines love more broadly. But first, a quick word from our sponsor. Looking to deepen your understanding of biblical love and relationships,

author Betty Johansson provides a fresh retelling of the story of Ruth, along with detailed study guides for both the Old and New Testaments. These resources help Christians connect with their faith through careful, thoughtful reading. Learn how ancient wisdom applies to your life today at the link in the description. Picking up on that kinsman Redeemer idea, how does that sacrificial model connect to other Bible stories? Great question. The Bible gives us wisdom through several couples. Isaac and Rebecca, Joseph and Mary, Aquila and Priscilla, Zechariah and Elizabeth. each one demonstrates that love is the foundation of relationships,

characterized by selflessness, kindness, and forgiveness. I mean, that's such a different lens than what culture often pushes, right? The focus isn't finding someone who completes you or makes you happy. The focus is mutual sacrifice and commitment. Definitely. Delatians Chapter 5, verse 6, actually says that in Christ Jesus, faith is expressed through love. So for believers, love isn't just a feeling, It's how faith shows up in the real world.

That connection between faith and love, that's really the core message throughout Scripture. Mm-hmm. Go on. And you know, when we look at the first man and woman in Genesis, we see this design for partnership, right? God creates them as two halves of a united whole, deeply dependent on each other. Yes.

The Hebrew term used is Ezer Connegedo, often translated as helper, but it really means an indispensable partner. The only other person called a person, an easer in the Bible is God himself. So we're talking about equals working together for mutual flourishing and goodness. I love that imagery.

They were naked and unashamed, total trust, vulnerability, and safety. No power grabs or secrets, just peace. It's like the original relationship goals before that phrase got overused on social media. Huh. True. And then there's Joseph and Mary.

Joseph could have publicly shamed Mary when he found out she was pregnant. but instead he chose mercy. The Bible calls him a righteous man because he treated her with respect and care, even when the situation was confusing and painful for him. Right, and to everyone listening, these stories collectively show us that real love concerns choosing their well-being, even when it costs us something. Together, we're seeing a pattern here. Love is sacrificial, respectful, and committed.

That sacrificial commitment, that's the thread tying all these relationships together. So powerful. Have you personally had a moment where one of these stories changed how you viewed relationships? I have, actually. A few years ago, I realized my own relationships were built more on convenience than commitment. Reading Ruth's story shifted my perspective entirely. Her loyalty to Naomi, despite having nothing to gain, really challenged me to rethink what love actually requires. That's beautiful. And honestly, the ultimate example is Jesus himself, right? In the garter. In the garter. of Gthsemini, he chose to give himself for humanity's well-being, even though it meant suffering.

That's the heart of love, choosing what's best for the other. Exactly. Jesus is God's caste in human form. His love restores the partnership between God and humanity, and that sacrificial love becomes the blueprint for how we're supposed to love each other in our relationships. So, when we think about being romantic and a godly relationship, it starts with this foundation, respect, honesty, mutual support, and selfless commitment. How do you think that changes the way we approach dating or marriage today? It shifts everything. Instead of asking, does this person make me happy, we ask, am I willing to serve this person's good? That's a much deeper, more fulfilling question. Beautiful. And Ruth became the great grandmother of King David,

and eventually Jesus was born from their family line in Bethlehem, the same town where Ruth and Boaz met over 3,000 years ago. Their romance literally shaped history. Not bad for a love story that started in a dusty field with a vulnerable widow and a kind landowner. Not bad at all. So whether you're single, dating, or married, these stories remind us that godly love is loyal commitment, sacrificial action, and mutual respect.

Thanks so much for unpacking this with me today. Thank you. It's been a joy.