Romantic Love/Bridal Affections

Romantic love afflicts the soul. Traditionally, boy meets girl; girl meets boy. Rarely will a novel, movie be released without this engaging component. It is the pull of every soap opera. The brain retains a place for someone “in love,” the same section as when affected by an opiate. Romantic love changes the rote things of life into a poem.

Did God create this type of love merely to stand outside of it, to be an Observer?

The Bible contains a Bridal Paradigm* throughout. (See OT: Jer 2:2, Hos 2:16-20, Ez 16:8-14, 20-21, 32, 38, Is 54:5-6. In the NT: Jesus, Paul, and ending the age with John the Divine. Among a few: Rev 19:7-9, 21:9, Eph 5:23-25, 2 Cor 11:1-2.)

Throughout His Word, history and martyrdom, those who acknowledge a bridal call to their individual heart towards the King speak such things: “Your love is better than wine.” “Thy loving-kindness is better than life.” “Your Name is like ointment poured forth.” “the Disciple whom Jesus loved” “…the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge…”

In the OT, the word “hesed” is translated 240 times, often by “loving-kindness.” It is the bedrock of the personality our God longs to be known. “Hesed” is an interlocking of strength + steadfastness (loyalty of the covenant) + love. It is like a marriage with love!

As this foundation crosses into the New Covenant, a universal call is extended to each believer!

Such a love interest along with obedience, reverence and worship fills out a love relationship with the Savior. It becomes sensitive to the fragrance of Christ, even filters out grieving the Holy Spirit by pride or legalism in attempts to be spiritual.

By revelation, Paul could see the desired EXTENT as containing length, height, breadth, width (Eph 3:18). Does not this cube-like fullness echo the first and greatest commandment? ALL one’s mind, soul, heart and strength?

How do we fill out such a love with ourselves? Can we ever hope to fill out our whole beings of love for our Great King if we do not embrace this most affecting Bridal love of all!

*phrased by Mike Bickle