TRUTH: Who’s Your Potna (Partner)

Dictionary.com defines partner as a person who shares or is associated with another in some action or endeavor; sharer; associate. In the vernacular, partner has often been stated at “potna”. It usually denotes a person with whom you associate with and care for in some degree but certainly more than a general sense. We know that words have multiple means, but for the purpose of this post, we will limit partner to those parameters . TRUTH: Who’s Your Potna (Partner)

When I was in elementary school, the cafeteria had a slogan saying “You are what you eat.” My mom related that to who you hang around, relate to or associate with. She said you will either become like them or they will become like you. The importance of who one surrounds himself/herself is stressed in schools all the time. As we know, we learn a great deal about socialization in school as a child. Some learn the valuable lesson of associating themselves with like-minded people. 1 Corinthians 15:33 expresses it like this – “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Proverbs 22:24-25 tells us “²⁴ Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, ²⁵ or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” TRUTH: Who’s Your Potna (Partner)

In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul was providing instructions on how to live the new life for those who had trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Ephesians 5

⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷ Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord.

Whether from a parent, a teacher, or the bible, the commentary about a “Potna” is the same – do not become an associate, an endeavorer, a sharer, a partaker or anything in close relationship with people who do not regard the triune God as supreme. If the person rejects Jesus, they are rejecting you. Now, Christ is clear that this admonition does not include isolating yourself. For we know He interacted with sinners as a means to share the truth of God with them. Yet, it was not His group with whom He called friends or shared His purpose and plan for being. He reserved that for those who truly believed. The one who would betray Him was allowed in that circle, so God’s purpose, plan and prophecy would be fulfilled. TRUTH: Who’s Your Potna (Partner)

If you call yourself a believer, God is calling you to choose wisely with whom you align yourself with. Paul said, “Let no one deceive you with empty words”. There must be evidence of the lordship of Christ in the person’s life in order for you to be obedient to this command. Make an assessment and live the TRUTH: Who’s Your Potna (Partner)