How far is too far physically in a Christian dating relationship?

My boyfriend and I have been dating for a year now. We are both 21 and completely in love. We are both Christians and very much in love with God. We go to church together and have fun hanging out together too. We generally love just being together. As we move farther into our relationship, we get more and more physically attracted to each other. Not only that, we are dealing with lust as well. I know that is a common thing in any relationship, but how do I deal with it? We both agree that we are going to wait until we get married to have sex, but we still want to show each other our love through physical means. When it comes to the Bible, it is unclear where right and wrong lie. How do I know if what we do is a sin? I know that sex is not an option, but what constitutes sex? Is there a definite line to not cross when you are in a relationship? I need some help with this issue. We do not want to disobey God, but we do want to be able to show each other our love physically, like kissing or whatnot. We do hold hands and kiss and we like to cuddle up together to watch a movie. Are there any suggestions? Is there a line in which we don't need to cross, in your opinion? Thanks so much for the help. If there are any questions, feel free to ask.

Public Comments

1. Everyone has their own 'line'. For some it might just be kissing, for others it's 2nd base, for others it could even be teabagging. It's really up to you and what you think is right. And even if something you do is a sin, if you didn't know it was a sin then it wont matter unless you do it even after you know it's a sin. For instance, a friend of yours were to give you a car and you drove that car for years and then found out that it was stolen. Would it be a sin? No. Unless of course you kept driving the car. So for now, do whatever you feel is right and if you happen to find out that something is wrong, just stop doing it. Easy as that!
2. Penetration of any kind is the line not to cross. Oral sex is still sex mutual masturbation is still penetration. You can be physical, and in love with one another's bodies simply for the purity and beauty of the human body. You could try massaging and kissing different parts of the body, just be sure you are able to draw the line when necessary.
3. I am 21 and my boyfriend is 26 we both attend church together and have decided to wait till marraige as well!! First off you need to remember that true love waits and so other than kissing, holding hands and cuddling. Everthing else needs to wait till marriage!!! And if this is something you two are struggleing with pray!
4. I'm Catholic, but i'm not sure where Christians are from. I had a friend that was Christian from Nigeria, she told me it is against her religion to even have a boyfriend. So it depends on your true beliefs. I don't understand how far is too far for you, but if you don't have intercourse, maybe it would probably be against your religion to have anal sex or oral sex? I don't understand really. sorry but I hope you will be happy with whatever decisions you make.
5. ok kissing is ok and so is holding hands evan cuddling on the couch. if you are ok with your parents and or God walking in on anything that the two of you do together then you are doing great! If not then you have definetly gone to far