![\"\"](\"https:\/\/faith-blog-assets.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/20170523133725\/Dating-an-Apostle-or-a-Potential-e1307390130440.jpg\" "\\"Dating-an-Apostle-or-a-Potential\\"")
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In ministering to single ladies, my wife and I inevitably hear about\u00a0the very appropriate desire for a husband.\u00a0 Not surprisingly, the discussion turns to two extreme concepts regarding young men.\u00a0 Either a spiritual maturity level of the apostle Paul is expected, or, we hear, \u201cbut he has \u2018potential.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s unreasonable to expect a single man to have the maturity of someone twice his age.\u00a0 If the lady\u2019s spiritually mature dad is her role model for a husband, then praise the Lord!\u00a0 But remember, the mature dad didn\u2019t have that maturity when he was twenty!<\/p>\n
On the other hand, a single lady shouldn\u2019t settle for \u201cpotential!\u201d\u00a0 Potential is the power of the gospel not the promise of a man who says \u201cI will be different.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Certainly, we serve a great God and with His grace, any unsaved mass murderer has potential!\u00a0 But that doesn\u2019t make getting into a relationship with \u201cpotential\u201d a wise choice.<\/p>\n
When Janet and I meet with single ladies who cannot find an apostle (surprise) but are settling for \u201cpotential,\u201d we start with probing foundational matters.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIs the man a believer?\u201d\u00a0 \u201cHow do you know this?\u201d\u00a0 \u201cHow is the man\u00a0actively<\/em> involved in growing and serving in his church?\u201d\u00a0 If the answers to these questions are fuzzy or unknown, then there is not enough information to consider the man as a husband.<\/p>\n How does the young man respond when he is confronted with the Word and sees areas he needs to change?\u00a0 Does he become a lawyer and plead his case?\u00a0 Or does he bow to the Scripture and change (real change, not just talk)? \u00a0If the answers to these questions are fuzzy or unknown, then there is not enough information to consider the man as a husband.<\/p>\n That\u2019s right! \u00a0But not in the way you are probably thinking. \u00a0Is the man submissive to the authorities in his life?\u00a0 If a single lady is in a relationship with a man who cannot be under authority, our advice to her is \u201cRUN FAR AWAY!\u00a0 You do not want to be under the authority of a man who isn\u2019t under authority himself!\u201d\u00a0 If the answer to this authority question is fuzzy or unknown then there is not enough information to consider the man as a husband.<\/p>\n The path the man is on cannot be discerned by talk or a date at the movies.\u00a0 The path he is walking can be seen over time and in the company of those who know him.\u00a0\u00a0 Thus, observe his walk from a distance and by seeking wise counsel from his spiritual overseers.\u00a0\u00a0 If he doesn\u2019t have spiritual overseers who know the path he is on, then there\u2019s a clue, right?\u00a0 If his track record is fuzzy or unknown then there is not enough information to consider the man as a husband.<\/p>\n Summer love is in the air!\u00a0 Remember there are no more apostles and only the Gospel has potential. \u00a0Choose wisely.<\/p>\n Brent and Janet Aucoin<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Look for a Learner<\/span><\/h2>\n
Look for Submission<\/span><\/h2>\n
Look at His Path<\/span><\/h2>\n