Are You a Christian?

2 Corinthians 6:14

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”

1 Samuel 16:7

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”

Have you been dating someone for a while? Are things going well? Are you considering having “the talk,” defining the relationship, and getting a bit more serious about the person?

What an exciting time in a relationship! Taking things to the next level means you’re one step closer to (possibly) finding a life-long love and a beautiful marriage.

As you consider taking this step in your relationship, it is essential to welcome God into the decision. Consider what the Bible says about relationships, as well as your hopes and plans for the future. That way, when you have “the talk,” you can ask important questions to make sure this is the right person for you.

Did you know that two people who consider themselves Christians can be “unequally yoked?” It sounds a bit odd because most Christians believe the “yoked” scripture simply refers to marrying someone who is also a believer. And that’s an excellent place to start, which makes it one of the first questions to ask someone before you get into a serious relationship with them.

However, the conversation should go beyond a simple yes or no question to determine if you truly are equally yoked.

A “yoke,” by the way, is what joins two oxen pulling a cart. It’s essential to pair oxen that are equally “yoked” to move the cart in the right direction at the same pace. If one ox is stronger or faster, it could pull the cart in the wrong direction, and they wouldn’t get very far.

This concept applies to faith in believers as well. If you’re an “on-fire” Christian, passionate about taking the church beyond the four walls of a sanctuary and spreading the Gospel to the unreached places of the world, that’s wonderful. But if you’re dating a Christian who feels content with attending church on Sunday and not going beyond that, there’s a disconnect. The disconnect might not be in faith or beliefs but in mind, heart, or calling.

Remember, God doesn’t look at someone’s outward appearance, and neither should you. Anyone can call themselves a Christian, and many do without walking the walk. Before you pursue a serious relationship that could lead to marriage, make sure you are both walking toward and with God at the same pace and with the same strength. Or that you are both at least committed to finding that unity as you grow together.

Questions to Ask:

How do you define your beliefs?

What is your relationship with Jesus like?

Where do you feel God is calling you in your faith walk?

Do you attend church weekly, and is that important to you?

Do you serve in the church, and is that important to you?

Do you read your Bible regularly, and is that important to you?

What does “living out your faith” look like to you?