Relationships Done God's Way

Wow! I met this awesome person, sparks are flying, now what?

These are some practical guidelines for those who are seeking to start or keep an existing relationship on a Holy path taken from 2 Corinthians 6 ( all scripture taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible)

1 Working together [a] with Him, we also appeal to you: "Don't receive God's grace in vain." 2 For He says: In an acceptable time, I heard you, and in the day of salvation, I helped you. Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation.
3 We give no opportunity for stumbling to anyone, so that the ministry will not be blamed. 4 But in everything, as God's ministers, we commend ourselves: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardship, by pressures, 5 by beatings, by imprisonments, (D) by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger, 6 by purity, (E) by knowledge, (F) by patience, (G) by kindness, (H) by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, (I) 7 by the message of truth, (J) by the power of God; (K) through weapons of righteousness on the right hand and the left, 8 through glory (L) and dishonor, through slander and good report; as deceivers yet true; 9 as unknown yet recognized; as dying and look—we live; as being chastened yet not killed; 10 as grieving yet always rejoicing; (M) as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing yet possessing everything. 11 We have spoken openly [b] to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide. 12 You are not limited by us, but you are limited by your own affections. 13 Now in like response—I speak as to children—you also should be open to us.

Line by line breakdown

Verse 1: They worked together with God, trusting the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This reminds me that we can not do it alone! In the verse below, “a cord of three strands” refers to the Holy Spirit being one of those strands bound together, in this case, with a couple, to make sure that they knew that God was always a part of it should it not be broken!
9 Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. 10 For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? 12 And if somebody overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. -- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Verse 2: Everything was done in acceptable time, once again, meaning the believers were trusting on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead their decisions.
Verse 3: They gave no opportunity for areas of compromise in their walk, especially during the critical forming of the early church; things had to be foundationally secure!
Verse 4 -5: They did not give up, and endured, despite anything this world and its corrupted morals, ideas and pressure put on them.
Verse 6D: “By Purity” 12 No one should despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. -- 1 Timothy 4:12
Verse 6F: “By Patience” Remember: 1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven -- Ecclesiastes 3:1
Verse 6G: “By Kindness” One of the fruits of the spirit, we constantly show kindness to each other, although at first, there were times where I had to bee kind to you in my speech, and you had to learn to be kind to me. God has been molding each of our hearts in this area as we submitted it to Him!
Verse 6H: “By the Holy Spirit” 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit; the Father will send Him in My name and He; will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. -- John 14:26
Verse 6L: “By sincere love” In everything may our motives be sincere, pure, and selfless (1 Corinthians 13)
Verse 7: God’s Word guided them!
Verse 7J: God gave them the power to do that which was impossible to their ordinary nature!
Verse 7K: God gave them the armor and the spiritual weapons to fight the temptations of Satan: See Ephesians6:11-18 for a detailed description of the armor of God
Verse 11: They spoke openly to each other, in inner circles and openly to the early church leaders to get accountability. Everyone should have at least 1 or more people, both married couples and same-sex persons they are accountable to for their actions when entering into a dating relationship.