Question: How Are We Supposed to Stand Out for Jesus?
Answer: I commend the young person who asked about this matter, because the question evidences a genuine interest in living the life of a Christian. I would suggest some rather bold measures to stand out for the Lord.
You will go no further in standing out for Jesus than your Bible study allows you to go. Be sure to devote adequate time to what God says about all matters in the Bible (Acts 17:11; 1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:14-17). Bible study is an investment in your future and that of others—both earthly and heavenly future, as you stand out for Jesus.
All words and actions begin in the mind/heart (Prov. 4:23; 16:2; Matt. 15:18-20). For this reason, you must guard it and cultivate it along spiritual lines (Prov. 31:30; Matt. 6:33; Rom. 8:5-7; Col. 3:1-2). Surrender all to Him, and you will surely stand out for Jesus.
When your mind is filled with the life-changing word of God and your heart is surrendered to the Lord, in all that shows forth in life you will stand up and out for Jesus (Matt. 5:13-16).
Never be afraid or ashamed to pray to God through Jesus Christ, both privately and publicly, knowing that He will strengthen you for the battle in which you must fight. The best verse I know on praying is Philippians 4:6, which leads with the idea of being anxious in nothing but prayerful in everything. The next verse adds that the peace that God gives will then guard the heart and mind through Christ Jesus. His blessing will cause you to stand out for Jesus.
Never miss an opportunity to sing out His praises, to express His excellencies/virtues, or to have communion through His body and blood, thereby proclaiming His death till He comes again (Jas. 5:13; Eph. 5:19; 1 Pet. 2:9; 1 Cor. 10:16). While private worship is encouraged for all, it is what we do together in worship that receives, by far, the major emphasis in the New Testament. You will glorify God, strengthen your brethren, and receive much needed strength from them for your efforts to stand out for Jesus.
Although we live in a time when most dress in disregard of Biblical teaching, remember that “fishers of men” can easily fish in the wrong pond and catch the wrong kind of men if they give little attention to how they appear to others. Your attire says something about how serious you are about your influence on others and in taking them to heaven with you, as indicated by the words “modesty,” “shame fastness,” and “sobriety” in 1 Timothy 2:9. Instead of being content with being “eye-pleasing,” work on being “heart-attracting” to others (1 Pet. 3:3-4). Never be guilty of suggesting to others that they should follow Jesus when your dress “suggests” something else. In every good way, you can stand out for Jesus.
You might have noticed that teaching’s place in our list comes last. That is because no teaching will accomplish much good without the support of a life lived according to God’s will (Acts 1:1; 2:47; Rom. 2:21-24; 1 Tim. 4:16). The purpose of your entire life is to direct people to Jesus Christ as you stand out for Him.
