Loving Well: Physical Touch: Various Texts

Loving Well: Physical Touch

Various Texts

Acts of Service

• Doing something for your someone that you know they would like
  • “Actions speak louder than words.”

Physical Touch

• An expression of love that is felt physically by the beloved
  • Though this does not always necessitate physical contact

God as the Lover

• In the Bible, God’s presence is described as being spirit (John 4:24)
  • Thus, indicating that He does not have a physical form
  • And yet, God is speaking of touching people (1 Sam. 10:26)
• In His incarnation, Jesus often touched people as a means of expressing love
  • Healing the sick (Matt. 8:2-3)
  • Blessing the children (Mark 10:14-16)
• Feeling the Holy Spirit’s presence
  • The physical and/or emotional sensation of God touching you
    • Like a warm embrace

Our Love for God

• How do we reciprocate this kind of love to God?
• Engaging our bodies as we worship
  • Raising hands, kneeling, laying prostrate
• Engaging our emotions as we worship
  • Crying tears of joy or contrition
• This is not a call to disengage our minds (1 Cor. 14:15)
  • But rather to give God all of us (Luke 10:27a)

 

Loving One Another

• We can show each other love through physical touch in ways that are appropriate, as determined by our relationships
• With our friends: handshakes, hugs, high-fives
• With our kids: hugs, kisses, cuddles, wrestling, etc.
• Within marriage: hugs, handle-holding, back rubs, sexual intimacy
• In the Church
  • Greeting with handshakes and hugs (2 Cor. 13:12; see also Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 1 Pet. 5:14)
  • Praying with the laying on of hands & anointing with oil (Jas. 5:14)

Loving Our Community

• Being the hands & feet of Jesus
  • Touching those who need God’s touch
• Sharing in people’s joy & sorrow (Rom. 12:15)

 

Boundaries of Love

• Physical touch, like all expressions of love, must be delivered in ways that are relationally appropriate
• And in ways with which the beloved is comfortable
  • Respecting their boundaries

So What?

• Have we been touched by God’s love?
• Are we touching others with His love too?
  • Being the hands and feet of Jesus

 

Meditation Verse: Romans 12:15