I Choose To Stand Out

By Carllister Ejinkeonye

YOUTHS of today are trapped in a world that is rushing after the same things. The tide of knowledge, fashion, entertainment, technology, wealth, fame, etc., is moving with such a terrific speed and overwhelming strength and carrying along with it the wise and the foolish, the rich and the poor, the educated and the illiterate, the whole and the disabled, the young and the old, etc.  The tragedy, however, is that, perhaps, only an insignificant few might stop, at some point, to consider what would eventually befall them in the now or hereafter.  It all sums up the fact that the Scriptures are being fulfilled in our very eyes:  Hell hath enlarged herself (Isaiah 5:11-14) for the purpose of accommodating the greatly increasing number of people trooping down to it as the broad way that leads to destruction gets even broader (Matthew 7:13).

Today, as the Lord's manner is, He is once again demonstrating His love and willingness to save more youths at this tail end of time through this timely counsel and warning to those who would care to STAND OUT in this adulterous and untoward generation (Acts 2:40).

What Does It Mean To Stand Out?

A brief study of the lives of some people in the Bible (including the challenges they faced) should be able to give us a good idea of what is meant here by a Christian youth standing out in a generation like ours.

    

Joseph, for instance, separated himself from the ungodly conducts of his brethren though his position in his family was such that he could easily have been influenced, intimidated and dissuaded from the truth and right way (Genesis 37:2). But he shunned evil and when he was sold by his brothers and taken to Egypt, he also fled from an opportunity to commit a very grievous sin which many other youths would have eagerly grabbed (Genesis 39:7-12).

I Choose To Stand out!

Again, among the persons selected to represent   the great Hebrew congregation in a special task concerning the future of Israel and their conquest of other nations, the edifying report and thoughtful comments of Caleb and Joshua distinguished them from their colleagues whose reports had plunged the whole nation into confusion, mourning and murmuring, and eventually attracted the displeasure of God. Indeed, Caleb and Joshua won a place in God's heart with their own good report (Numbers 13:1-3, 17-33; 14:1-12, 26-30).

Also, when many of the children of Israel began to partake in the sinful lifestyles of the ungodly nations around them, and even joined in the worship of their gods, God's anger was physically demonstrated. He (God) requested that the heads (leaders) of the people be hanged.  While a very solemn session of deep mourning and mass repentance was going on in the camp of Israel, some frivolous fellow sought to compound the already bad situation by fueling the anger of God with his odious action of bringing a strange woman into the camp, while the people were still crying and repenting before the Lord. But Phinehas who was able to interpret the situation accurately and knew what might further happen if an urgent action was not undertaken, rose quickly to the occasion and destroyed the evil doers and thus turned away God's wrath from the camp of Israel(Numbers 25:1-9).

After encountering Jesus as his Lord and Saviour, Paul began to go for only those things that were expedient, not allowing himself to be pre-occupied with the things he regarded as non-essentials though other people were being brought under the bondage of those things (1Corinthians 6:12; cons. 1Corinthians 8:13).

David in all his dealings with Saul would not repay evil with evil even when he had a number of opportunities to do so and please those who were with him who were itching to hurt Saul because of all the evils he had done against David (1Samuel 24:1-11).  On His part, the Lord Jesus Christ, our perfect Example, would not compromise His righteousness in the face of daunting challenges and false promises from the wicked one (Matthew 4:1-11), etc.

Having carefully and prayerfully examined the few examples above, you must by now have in your mind a clear understanding of what it means to stand out and live by that decision.  A youth who has chosen to stand out is one that has decided and made every effort to be different, walking and living a life different from and opposed to the 'acceptable' ways, norms, principles and lifestyles of the present world; his aim would be to please God at all times and excel above others.  This preference must be clearly demonstrated and manifest to all (cons. Matthew 5:13-16). 

Having now known what it means to stand out from among others, we will now like to know how a Christian youth desirous of lifting up the Lord's banner in this our time can do so.

How the Christian Youth Can Stand Out

The Christian youth must stand out by the Word of God (precept) and by practice. After the Lord had brought the Israelites out of Egypt, He declared His desire to make them a peculiar people;  a people that would stand out among the nations.  He also made them know that their realization of what He has promised them would be dependent on their total obedience to His Word (Exodus 19:1-6).  The life of a Christian youth is moulded, nourished and kept by the statutes and instructions in God's Word (Deuteronomy 32:44-47; 4:1-2, 5-6). It is the Word, or rather, adherence to it, that makes the youth  to be not of this world and separate from other youths, that is, to stand out from them (John 17:14-17).  It means then that the youth must make the Word of God an essential part of his daily programme (Joshua 1:8), seeing that his continued obedience to God, and maintenance of a godly lifestyle, faith and understanding depend largely on how much of God's Word he has stored within him (cons. Matthew 13:52; Acts 18:24-28). The Christian youth, like Jesus rightly pointed out, is the salt and light of the world; he is to shine as light and dispel all manner of darkness and impurities in the lives of those he comes in contact with (Matthew 5:13-16; Proverbs 4:18), thereby brightening his corner, transforming lives and fulfilling the Lord's vision for this close of age (Luke 2:32; Isaiah 49:5-6).

Also, if any youth must truly stand out in the face of oppositions and challenges of this time, it must be by Fervent Prayers. The Christian youth must see most of the things militating against his victory and upliftment in life as unacceptable and adversaries engineered right from the kingdom of darkness to hinder him from serving the Lord as he should.  It was such a circumstance that Jesus saw concerning Peter and said to him: 'Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee ...' (Luke 22:31-32). Satan desires to have every youth that has made a strong resolve to stand out for the Lord, but with fervent prayers, such a youth will overcome him.

Stand Out!

When a youth takes the bold step to totally surrender his life to the Lord, separate himself from the misdeeds of the ungodly around him and stand out with righteousness, godly lifestyle and truth, etc (cons. Romans 12:1-2; 1John 2:15-17), such a youth needs to realize that he has automatically engaged himself in a battle of ridicule from former friends and admirers. He will face persecutions and oppositions from his fellow youths and even some men and women some of whom might even be ready to stake their lives, if need be, to stop him (cons. Acts 12:1 4; 23:12-14; Nehemiah 2:18-19).  If that Christian youth must keep his decision and continue to stand out in the face of influences from ungodly peer pressures, drugs, alcohol, examination malpractice, youthful lusts, immoral relationships, dating and other entanglements which have tied the youth of today like a web, the issue of prayer cannot be over emphasized.  He must indeed stand out by prayers (Luke 22:31-32; cons. Matthew 17:20-21; Ephesians 6:12-13, 18; Colossians 4:2).  God has provided him with the necessary gadgets and weapons to ensure that he wins the battle (Ephesians 6:12-18; 1:3; 2Corinthians 10:3-6; 2Peter 1:2-4; 1Timothy 6:12). So choosing to stand out is choosing to pray hard.

Again, it has to be by Violence. Since oppositions and battles are sure to come, then the Christian youth must choose to violently move against the prevailing tide of his generation.  The “violence” referred to here does not imply physically confronting one's opponents with brute force. No, it means an unyielding determination to keep what one has received no matter the pains and discomforts such a decision might attract. It is a fierce abhorrence for all attitudes and preferences that threaten one's faith and consecration, and spiritual warfare against all forces of darkness that seek to weaken one's resolve. The kingdom of God and its benefits is for the violent only (Matthew 11:12).  So, do you want to shine in the midst of darkness? (John 1:5).  It is by violence.  You want to live without compromising your Christian standard? (Romans 12:2). It is by violence. You want to go through your youthful period unscratched? (2 Timothy 2:22). It is by violence.  To successfully overcome contending voices within and without, it must be by violence.  To bring down the devil and his fiery darts (Ephesians 6:16), it is by violence.  To remain without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27) through to rapture, it is by violence. Indeed the battle could be like that of Joseph at the ratio of 10:1, so never expect it to be light or take it lightly.  Your standing out from the others must be by violence.  Therefore, be determined to stand out.

Choosing to stand out may indeed attract a lot of inconveniences, yet the benefits cannot be measured. It is not actually an easy choice for a youth in this untoward generation.  And so, knowing this, the Lord has likewise rolled out benefits and blessings far more greater than the decision taken. 

Benefits Of Choosing To Stand Out

Choosing to stand out for the Lord is choosing to honour Him; and the Lord will honour them that honour Him (1 Samuel 2:30).  Imagine becoming peculiar and special above others (Exodus 19:5-6; 1Peter 2:9), coming into a covenant relationship with God (Numbers 25:12-13; Malachi 2:4-5).  There is the provision of His anointing with the oil of gladness and having His Spirit upon you above your fellows (Hebrews 1:9; Joel 2:28-29).  Thus you are sure of the spirit of grace and supplication to help you fight on (Zechariah 12:10).  God has elected to work with you and to confirm your words with signs and wonders, to fight for you and grant you victory and success in all your endeavours (Mark 16:20; Romans 8:31-32, 37; Matthew 16:18-19).  And above all, there is the promise of eternal joy, peace and rest (John 14:1-3; Revelation 3:10-11).

The blessings are too numerous and the Lord will bring you into them all as you continue in your decision to stand out for His name's sake in Jesus' name.  Amen.