I feel sorry for the men who had to deal with me in my mid twenties.  I was so prideful in how much I “thought I knew” and I loved sharing that with others.  A good thing, however, patience and grace were not words that would have used to describe me.  I never actually beat anyone over the head with a Bible, but given my zealous approach to truth, I’m surprised I never received a beating myself.  Apparently, people don’t respond well to being told “Turn or burn” even jokingly… go figure.  I’ve tried to make amends with those I could, and the fact that I still am friends with some people from those years speaks amazingly of the patience of God in them.

There has been a question running through my mind consistently, during those days until now.  Over time my views have been refined by the Word of God and my own sanctification, thankfully, and I freely admit I have more to learn.  My question is “what is/are the marks of the Redeemed?”  Not to put myself in the place of God to judge ultimately, but to wisely discern whom I marry, whom I partner with in business or ministry, and whom I will disciple.

Now we see some characteristics of the Redeemed in Gal 5:22-23 – “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” .  But what is the unit of measure? Meaning someone who today seems to me impatient may have been significantly worse a year ago, etc.  Likewise, we all know faithful men who do not love God, so how are we to discern the truth?  I don’t mean here to lessen the truth from Galatians 5, but it seems to be a better guide if you’ve known a person for a long time.  We can discern a person from their fruit when not just one, but ALL of these characteristics are seen to be growing over time.  But what if you’ve only known someone for a few months?  In my personal experience, one can easily become wrongly self righteous and judgmental if in looking at another based merely on the current “status” of their morality.  I myself fell into that trap, when in earlier years I did not see fruit growing “fast enough”  (See my comment above on why I’m lucky to have any friends left).

So what is it that I look for in someone to partner with?  Three things:

1)      Does the person have a passion to know God from the Bible?  Psalm 119:12-16 – “Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes!  With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.  In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.  I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”

2)      Is the person actively submitting their life to God’s Word?  Luke 6:46 – “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”

3)      Is there a joy in that person’s life from knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?  Jeremiah 15:16 – “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.”

I will take the most sinful person on Earth, over the most outwardly righteous person, if I see these things in that person.  Why?  Because these questions expose the heart of a person.  Many people want Jesus as their Savior, but not as their Lord.  This is why you find churches full of people who never read their Bible.  It’s more than just laziness, they do not want to be reminded that God owns them, and they are accountable to Him.  They don’t want God as God, they want to be god to God.  Submitting one’s life to God from His Word is difficult, but should ultimately be a delight to believers.  Yes, there are struggles, but less of us is more of God, and in that we rejoice.

As a note of caution, these questions should only be levied towards two people (in this order).  First, yourself.  Second, individuals you know well and are considering partnering with in some significant way.  2 Corinthians 6:14 – “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” 

While this message is meant to offer wisdom in one area of life as a Christian, my encouragement is to earnestly pray for wisdom and grace in its application.  Learn from my mistakes, and let your decisions be tempered by an earnest desire for all to come to Christ (1 Tim 2:3-4), unity of the Church (Eph 4:1-3) , and that every word you utter would give grace to its hearers (Eph 4:29).

Grace and Peace,

Adam