Stand Out

Stand Out! As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “be holy, for I am holy” 1 Peter 1:14-16

The Devil Is Recruiting
Tempting Every Man
But He's Already Defeated
All We Have To Do Is Stand
No Time For Mixing Light With The Darkness
Be Black Or Be White
No More Shades Of Gray
Be Separate, Be Holy
No Matter What You Do
Don't Bow
And Even If You Stand Alone
Stand Anyhow

-Stand Out, Tye Tribbett

I really like the lyrics to this song. This song is all about standing out as a Believer-living holy. The lyrics to this song ring out with the theme of holiness as a lifestyle, a way of living. What do you think of when you hear the word holiness? You may have thought of a devoutly dressed person, or someone who is “religious” and attends church regularly, or even someone who wears long skirts and wears their hair in a certain way. None of these physically outward aspects have anything at all to do with being holy. As the scripture says in 1 Peter chapter 1, holiness should show forth in conduct. Your day to day living is what makes you holy: giving freely to others, standing up for what’s biblically right, even in the midst of adversity, not conforming to the things of this world, but…standing out.

We are to be holy, as Christ was holy. Jesus gave to the poor, stood for justice and spoke out against those things that were against God’s Word. The Pharisees were often obsessed with the outward appearance and outward doings, like what people ate and what actions people did on what day of the week. But when Jesus talked to the Pharisees He always emphasized that these physical, outward actions do not make one holy. He said in Mark Chapter 7 when the Pharisees questions Him about eating bread with unwashed hands that:

“there is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him those are the things that defile a man…for from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts…pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man”

So it comes down to being a heart matter. What is in our heart will come out. The Bible says that as you think in your heart, so you will be (Proverbs 23:7 ). Our hearts need to be focused on the Word of God. We must mediate on the Word and study the Word so the truth of it can seep down into our beings. Then, when we have fully indulged in the Word can our actions show forth as holy. Be Holy, as Christ was Holy. Don’t be afraid to stand out.

Regina Hill