Love = Sex?

In a world dominated by culture one has to ask, does love = sex? It seems like every single romantic movie has some sort of sex involved in it. Sometimes, even with partners who aren't "in love."

Today, in my Sociology class we were asked, "When is the next time you and your significant other are going to have sex?" First of all, this whole lecture was based on dating, sex, attraction, and culture's involvement. I've got to say, it really got me thinking. Why is it assumed that if you are a college aged student you are automatically drinking, doing drugs, and sleeping around? I just don't quite understand where this stigma came from.
I guess I am not the norm. I must be the out-group. (Yeah, a Sociology term). I recently re-watched a super cute movie called "Play the Game." The plot consists of a grandson and grandpa who try to teach each other strategies with dating, and of course, the bedroom.

But it seems culture has taken this idea of love = sex and adapted it to, if it's broken, replace it. So much for love. With divorce rates being so high, you have to wonder why people are so quick to abandon relationships that are not working. We live in a consumer culture. When something breaks, we buy another one. We hardly ever fix it anymore. This principle is now seen implemented in relationships. 

This does not make sense for me. I don't think love = sex. Like the cute nursery rhyme said, "first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage." And the bible gives us very clear lines of exactly what love is. Just the word "love" appears 314 times in the bible (according to answers.com).

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

 To Christians, this is our battlefield. We are called to be in the world, but not OF the world (2 Corinthians 10:3). We are battling Satan, and of course a culture filled with things of which we do not agree. That does not mean to hide away in your christian bubble, but rather, step out in faith, and make a difference in this world. 

The light will outshine the darkness.