Christian Outcome Measures

I’m an ER doctor so I’m all about outcome measures.

We measure patient safety and quality of care. We measure patient satisfaction and morbidity and mortality.

But what is an outcome measure?

Simply speaking, an outcome measures is a measure of results. Or in other words, it answers the question: How am I doing?

When it comes to the Christian life, I find myself often confused by the correct outcome measures. I look at the panorama of my life, and I’m tempted to measure my results by wrong outcomes.

How many twitter followers do I have?

How fast is my blog growing? Are my analytics improving over time?

And because I’m confused by the outcome measures, when I see a lull in the results that I’ve established as the standard, I get discouraged and conclude that I must be a failure as a Christian or that God doesn’t care about me.

I’m not sure what your area of struggle is, or what kind of outcome measures you use. For single Christians, it may go back to your identity and looks. For married people, it may have to do with your standard of living. For professionals, maybe it’s your bank accounts. And if you’re in ministry, the list can be long and painful.

Either way, it’s time we reclaim our Christian Outcome Measures and live freely and powerfully in the areas of influence God has assigned to each of us.

So…after much thought and research, here are the correct Christian Outcome Measures every Christian must live by.

1. Personal Fruit Bearing. Spend some time in John 15 and Galatians 5:16-26. Fruit bearing is an essential part of being a Christian, and when God talks about fruit, He’s not talking about apples and oranges or returns on an IRA. He’s talking about the Fruit of the Spirit. God is committed to doing whatever it takes in your life to make you more fruitful. When you’re asking yourself how you are doing, start by looking at the fruit in your life.

2.Faithfulness over Time. No one did more for Christ’s Kingdom than the apostle Paul. In II Timothy 4:6-8 he is on the verge of the end. His words give us goose bumps. His main outcome measure is faithfulness. Faithfulness is the ability to finish well. In other words, a test of your love for the Lord is your ability to endure. Don’t stop now. Make it to the finish line. It will be worth it all someday soon.

3. Victory over Temptation. I’m not very fond of temptation, but it seems to be very fond of me. If you want a Biblical outcome measure, stop looking at superficial things like popularity, and start looking at heart matters. Are you improving in your battle against temptation or do you keep falling into the same old patterns of sinful behaviors? In James 1:12 God promises us a crown of life if we remain steadfast under trial. Pray for victory over temptation.

4. Persecution for the Faith. Many of us face persecution on a daily basis, but sadly not many of us face it for the sake of Jesus Christ. In Revelation 2:10 a crown is promised those of us who endure persecution for Jesus Christ. I’m not telling you to take a microphone and stand on the corner of Michigan Avenue seeking persecution, but I am saying that the more Godly and Holy lives we live, the more we are likely to suffer some level of persecution. Are you too comfortable in your life? Perhaps you’re not speaking up for the gospel enough.

5. Lives Influenced for the Lord. In I Thessalonians 2:19 Paul rejoices over the lives God has allowed him to influence. There is no greater joy in the world than knowing God is using you to further His kingdom. How are you doing in this measure? The interesting thing is that you may not know this side of heaven how to answer this question, but you can be sure that as you live faithfully for the Lord, He is using you greatly too!

So…no more petty comparisons and earthly outcome measures.

Our eyes are fixed on a more permanent goal.

Our eyes are fixed upward.

Which one of the outcome measures seems the hardest for you? Leave a comment!

Related posts: