Your mom or friend has probably asked about a guy you're talking to before and you've said these 5 words... "Well, he goes to church."
And, if they're anything like my mom they've responded with "Well, just because they go to church doesn't mean they're a Christian." Or maybe you've heard the analogy "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian, just like standing in a garage doesn't make you a car" (you've probably heard that one one too many times!!!)
I thought about these words some this week and how many times in our lives we make excuses like these:
"Well, he has a bible verse in his Instagram bio."
"Well, he doesn't cuss on Twitter."
"Well, he has a good family."
Girls... these things do not define the character of a man. Just because he goes to church does not really show you what kind of spiritual leader he is.
If you're looking for a guy that is going to chase you, respect you, and worship Christ with you, then he needs to do more than just "go to church."
Yes, I believe as Christians we are called to assume the best in people, but just because he goes to church doesn't mean we can assume he's a good guy. Church isn't about the building or your attendance record, it's about your heart.
WHY does he go to church?
WHAT does he get out of church?
HOW is he applying it to his relationship with the Lord?
Those are the kind of questions we should be considering. If you can't answer those confidently about the guy you're talking to, then he's not a man of God that you should be dating.
Here are a few things that well help us identify a Man of God rather than just a boy that we tell our mom "well, he goes to church":
1. Does he put holiness before happiness?
2. Look at the way he serves others.
3. Is he seeking opportunities to spiritually lead others?
4. He not just respects, but also protects your purity.
5. He does not go to church, but he IS the church.
Do not give up or stop believing that there are not men out there who are pushing Christ, because I promise you there are. And just as God is working on this in your heart, he is beginning a great work in the hearts of Men of God everywhere. So here's to the pursuit of believing that God has men for each of you women of God that don't just go to church but are the church.
