Stand Out, Not In!

NOT OUR HOME

By family or community, we are surrounded by unbelievers every day. The lady in the checkout line, the teacher, the co-worker etc. We are pilgrims in a land that is not our home. Sadly, this is home to many others, who don’t know Christ. There should be a noticeable difference between us and the world.

Christ said we would know a Christian by their fruit. This fruit is of the Spirit. It is not produced by unbelievers. "You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?" Matthew 7:6

If we can be around unbelievers and feel comfortable enough to fit in, there is an issue. We have not been called to fit in. We have been called to stand out- to be a light in a dark world. Are you standing out in whatever place you are in?

FRUSTRATION

I once worked at a job that surprisingly had several true Christian workers. It was good camaraderie. However, I still worked with worldly people every single day. I was constantly hearing gossip and political opinions that I didn’t care for. One of the hardest things was constantly hearing the Lord’s name in vain. It was so frustrating!

I couldn’t stop them. It was their life, nothing abnormal to them. Sometimes they would ask questions, or bring up controversial topics just because they knew we were Christians. I got fed up sometimes and just wanted to work in peace.

This may be your case. You could be one of the few believers, wherever you are- school, family, work, even church. The truth is, you are called to stand out! Do what an unbeliever wouldn’t do. Stay humble, answer honestly, and be kind.

Die to yourself and be led by the Spirit. Even when they are literally getting on your last nerve, ask God to help you represent Him well. Love them with a Christ-like love. You may think they don’t deserve it, but neither do you.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God," Ephesians 2:8

LONELY

Loneliness is a hard emotion to bear. (Read a blog post about it here). You don’t have others there to bear the burden. You walk daily, lonely for other believers to be with you.

I know it’s hard, and I am sorry you have to face that. However, you will really stand out, being the only Christian! This may seem like a miserable circumstance, but it is an opportunity to be a light in a dark place. A light shines that brightens in the dark.

You can’t do it alone; you need the grace of the Spirit. Also, ask your Christian friends to pray for you. They can help bear this burden.

Realize, you really are not alone. God is with you every single second of where you are. He never leaves you! You can stay in constant fellowship with Him. Pray to Him when you are feeling lonely and weak.

CONFRONTATION

At the job I mentioned, one difficult thing was the intentional questioning. They would ask questions to push buttons. There were plenty of disagreements, and I got tired of having to explain my Christian view- the only view that was different from the rest. Some days I just wanted to not say anything. Being invisible sounded heavenly.

That is not heavenly. That is actually earthly. A chance to speak about heavenly things is what a Christian longs for. Sharing the Gospel is the great commission. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," Matthew 28:19

Being asked to speak about Christ is the Christian’s love. Desiring to be invisible is the opposite of being a Christian. We are the body of Christ! We are His presence in the earth, even when our views are challenged for debate.

THE GREATER PICTURE

Keep in mind the greater picture. Your life does not belong to you. It is the Lord’s. He told you to present your body as a living sacrifice, pleasing to Him. "Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Matthew 16:24

Each day Christians everywhere are called to carry their cross. Your cross right now is standing out where you are. It is being like Christ! He was hated by many. He was confronted and questioned by religious leaders.

When we say to be ‘Christ-like,’ we really mean it in all its fullness. This includes being stretched and uncomfortable. Stand out for your Lord, as He did for you. Remember the cross, the mockery, the price He paid for you. You are His, and it cost Him a great price. He is yours; you should pay the cost of love for Him. He is worth it!

A SONG

I love hymns, gospel music, and worship music. My playlist is a mix of a little bit of everything. I Like this gospel song by Jonathan McReynolds. It’s called ‘No Grey.’ It encourages the listener to either be ‘black or white’- that is for ‘Christ or against Him.’ There is no ‘grey.’ Check it out here or below.