J
"And that has made all the difference" (thread title stolen from Robert Frost)
There's a thread on the battle of the genders and a bazillion on "finding the right one". Both of these issues trigger so many things in my brain.
Suppose you DO find someone very special? Will you know him/her? How? What then? Do you expect a Christian man/woman to behave/react differently from men/women of the world? Do you expect to treat them differently?
A true man/woman of God is NOT going to fit anyone's mold, nor should they. If any generalization at all can be made, it is that they will by definition be DIFFERENT (set apart) from most men/women you have met.
Should you think you may have found the man/woman you could build a godly life/family with, please keep a few things in mind:
1. Don't compare them to men/women from your past. God has been/is transforming them into a new creation just as He is you. Give them some credit and definitely give them respect.
2. Don't make generalized assumptions as to how they may react to a given situation. Those who are guided by the Spirit of God maturely display the Fruit of the Spirit and their reactions are governed accordingly.
3. Remember that, by nature, a true believer has a very tender heart that is capable of deeper love than you may ever have known because of WHO is living inside of them. Their hearts are not callous and hardened liked those of the world who seek to use you. Keep this in mind, because if you treat them like you would a man/woman of the world, the injury you do to the heart will be deep. Very, very deep. And you will be held accountable to God for any abuse.
4. Trust is everything. I mean EVERYTHING. Without trust there is no respect. Without trust and respect there is no intimacy. If there is no intimacy, there is only "going through the motions" and "making the best of things". They may forgive you, but remember this:
If you want a godly man/woman in your life, BE a godly man/woman and treat the person you love with respectful tender loving care because the Father is watching, and you may very well lose the greatest treasure you have ever found if you don't. Someone like that comes into your life from the very hand of God. Remember that and deal with them accordingly. If you want a loving blessed relationship, check your worldly attitudes, judgments and selfishness at the door.
Psalm 4:3
Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him.
There's a thread on the battle of the genders and a bazillion on "finding the right one". Both of these issues trigger so many things in my brain.
Suppose you DO find someone very special? Will you know him/her? How? What then? Do you expect a Christian man/woman to behave/react differently from men/women of the world? Do you expect to treat them differently?
A true man/woman of God is NOT going to fit anyone's mold, nor should they. If any generalization at all can be made, it is that they will by definition be DIFFERENT (set apart) from most men/women you have met.
Should you think you may have found the man/woman you could build a godly life/family with, please keep a few things in mind:
1. Don't compare them to men/women from your past. God has been/is transforming them into a new creation just as He is you. Give them some credit and definitely give them respect.
2. Don't make generalized assumptions as to how they may react to a given situation. Those who are guided by the Spirit of God maturely display the Fruit of the Spirit and their reactions are governed accordingly.
3. Remember that, by nature, a true believer has a very tender heart that is capable of deeper love than you may ever have known because of WHO is living inside of them. Their hearts are not callous and hardened liked those of the world who seek to use you. Keep this in mind, because if you treat them like you would a man/woman of the world, the injury you do to the heart will be deep. Very, very deep. And you will be held accountable to God for any abuse.
4. Trust is everything. I mean EVERYTHING. Without trust there is no respect. Without trust and respect there is no intimacy. If there is no intimacy, there is only "going through the motions" and "making the best of things". They may forgive you, but remember this:
If you want a godly man/woman in your life, BE a godly man/woman and treat the person you love with respectful tender loving care because the Father is watching, and you may very well lose the greatest treasure you have ever found if you don't. Someone like that comes into your life from the very hand of God. Remember that and deal with them accordingly. If you want a loving blessed relationship, check your worldly attitudes, judgments and selfishness at the door.
Psalm 4:3
Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him.
(sorry I dont have time to read right now..)
