Friends & Dating

As a young christian I am in the relm of dating these days, as many others. There are many fish in the sea, but which are the ones I should choose? I am also in search of friends, fellowship, and even bettering relationships with family members. For anything in life, a person should choose importantly, especially when it comes to those who you allow yourself to be closest to. Whether your making good friends or dating you should be careful and consider the attributes that will be brought upon yourself by being close to the person(s). Today I read in 2 Corinthians, a verse I have always been familiar with, but studied the words earlier today.

"Do not be yoked with nonbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What
accord as Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbelievabler? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For
we are the temple of the living God; as God said.

To betterunderstand what righteousness verses lawessness I made a list of light vs. darkness.

RIGHTEOUSNESS LAWLESSNESS
IN PEOPLE IN PEOPLE
-purity -corrupt
-Godliness -lying
-honesty -drunkards
-loving -prideful
-joyful -sexually immoral
-faithfulness -vengeful
-innocent -angry and bitter
-compassionate; understanding -depressed/gloomy
-studies the bible -bad language
-evangelizes -unsure; insecure
-honors God in life -unbeliever; immiture in the LORD
-forgiving -doesn't care

Based upon your personality, your relationship with God, and your life.. we all have different needs. While I was going through my lists I was thinking about what I truly need, what will benefit me, what will help me grow with Christ? In the verse above it talks about what does light and darkness have in common? It is so true, because as a follower of Christ for me to be very close with someone who carries more traits on the lawlessness side would be hypocrasy to myself, my beliefs, and the bible. God specifically tells us that we need Godly fellowship, relationships,
and friends. A few questions to ask yourself if your having trouble believing that lawlessness and righteousness cannot form together for the best then as yourself these questions...

1) Do righteousness and lawlessness go together?
2) If mixed, what do you get?
3) Do you have the same morals and values?
4) Would you want to raise your children the same; with moral values and biblical truth?
5) Do you participate in the same activities, and are these activities honoring to God?
6) Does the relationship benefit your relationship with Christ?

The reasons I ask you to ask yourself these questions is vital. God created us, and we are intended to find friendship and love when given the right person and time. He created us ultimately to love Him, and he wants two to grow together with Him as the center. You cannot have both light and darkness, because it lowers the Godliness in the righteous person. A lawless person can always uprise out of their life and turn to God, but it is up to them whether they make that choice or not. I am NOT telling you to go out and look for someone perfect, because we have all fallen short of the glory of God. We all sin, and none of us are good. We can ask for forgiveness in Christ, have faith, and trust in Him; and when we do we have an
eternal life with Him in heaven. After talking about the relationships I made yet another list of what I need in my friendships, boyfriends, or even family. I encourage you to do the same! I myself need people who...

-love God
-study the bible
-will have conversations with me about scripture, problems, and God
-goes to church
-strives to live a righteous life
-honors God in his work, personality, and overall life
-has the same values and morals as I do
-tells others about God and his word
-Asks for forgiveness and seeks God through prayer daily

What do you need? Please do not be discouraged by this blog/message I wrote about today. I can look at many items on the lawlessness side and can say "Oh jeez, I lied today, I cursed today, I was depressed, insecure, or thought something lustful." We are human, and it is human nature to be sinful, but with God we can always try to change this! If we ask God for satan to flee from us, and IF we resist his temptations and overlook his blunders he throws in our way, we can go on to becoming more and more righteous! This way of life is difficult to follow; it takes self control, love, forgiveness, understanding, joy, prayer, reading the bible, developing a christian fellowship. All of which is well worth it though, because when you are on top and closest to the Lord, living for him and through Him, YOU will have the most fufilling joy possible on earth. Whether you are dirt poor,
unemployed, lonely, or whatever YOU will have the love, grace, and joy of Christ inside of you. So be patient, pray often, and really try to live a life of righteousness; fight off the lawlessness and resist satan and he will flee from you. Satan does not want you to live a life for God, to have a christian fellowship, or have attributes of righteousness. Do not fall into his lies of believing that lawlessness will satisfy you and make you happy. Turn to God and choose your fish in the sea wisely!

Tips for transforming your life to a righteous life?
-Listen to music God would listen to, have your radio on a christian station.
-Try reading atleast one bible verse a day; not just reading but studying and understanding.
-Pray, pray, pray, pray, pray! Write a prayer request list for yourself, others, and whatever else is layed upon your heart.
-Surround yourself with Godly people, influences, and positive attitudes.
-Write down your weaknesses and stregnths, and don't give in to your weaknesses.
-If you feel like you will be tempted to do something not honoring to God, don't put yourself in the situation where you could be able to do wrong.
-Be patient, because God's plans for you as great if you trust in Him and keep your hope in his words. Great things are to come!