This is part 2 of a 3 part series. You can find part 1 here. Several years ago, I was given a helpful analogy to illustrate the type of dating relationship I should pursue as a believer. Imagine a triangle where you are at one point on the bottom of the triangle, the person you will eventually marry is at the other point at the bottom of the triangle, and God is at the top point.
If both of you are seeking God moving vertically , you will eventually meet at the top with God at the center of your relationship. One person will head vertically towards Christ, the other will head horizontally towards the other person and there will be a disconnect. Again, look at what happens if you both head horizontally toward one another. You will find each other, but God will not be at the center of your relationship. This has always helped me understand the importance of seeking someone who is pursuing Christ and not simply a relationship status when dating.
So with this in mind, I would define dating as simply a period of evaluation with the goal of marriage. If we would never marry a person, there would certainly be no reason to ever date that person. So I am indebted to him for many of these considerations and thoughts. So what type of person should we date? Marriage is between one man and one woman.
For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? I do not believe in missional dating whatsoever. Missional dating is the idea of dating someone in an attempt to convert them to Christianity or in hopes that they do.
I believe that this is extremely unwise. Marrying an unbeliever will cause much marital strife down the road and hinder your personal relationship with the Lord. However, we should not consider dating a person if they are not a true believer in the God of the Bible. Not only should the person we date believe in God, but they should be someone who is walking with Christ daily and following Him obediently. A few good questions to ask yourself: Does this person lead me closer to Christ or draw me further away?
