Rubies

The Standard

What does that mean? Webster defines standard as "1 : a conspicuous object (as a banner) formerly
carried at the top of a pole and used to mark a rallying point especially in battle or to serve as an
emblem...3 : something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model or example."

I recently went to the mailbox at church and pulled out an advertisement for a youth conference calling
itself "the Standard". When I opened the poster I was really disturbed by the images of those who would
like to place themselves as role models for our young people. Punk hairstyles, piercings, and
countenances like that of penitentiary inmates dotted the glossy page. A blurb about challenging
students not to accept the world's standards really infuriated me. How do they expect to teach such a
concept while embracing the styles and music of this world? Someone needs to go back to the REAL
STANDARD, and get a grasp of the truth. The Lord Jesus Christ is our rallying point, our authority, our
example.    I got to thinking how anyone would look at those people and feel compelled to accuse
them of being Christians. Would there be sufficient evidence in our lives to convince someone that we
are Christians?   In a day when tattoos, piercings, cuttings, chains, baggy clothes, or lack of clothing
depicts the typical youth, shouldn't a Christian stand out in the crowd? In times when sensual, fleshly
"so-called Christian" music stirs the body, but not the spirit of our young people, how would anyone
know there is a difference in us if our vehicles are booming that same annoying base jungle beat? If an
animal looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, smells like a duck, walks like a duck...can we assume it is a
duck? If we dress and walk and talk just like everyone else, then what can be assumed about us? The
Lord calls us to be separate from the things of this world. Look at these verses: Rom. 12:1-2 "I beseech
you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God." or II Cor. 7:1   "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." or II Cor. 6:16
"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God
hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean
thing; and I will receive you," or   I Cor. 6:19 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the
Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a
price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s."

These folks at the conference claim that they want to prepare our youth to be Bold Believers in order to
impact our culture. Well, it seems to me that the reverse has happened and this culture has corrupted
them. Don't you think it would be more bold to stand out in the crowd and look like a child of the King
rather than a vagabond off the street?

The deep root of this problem is readily identifiable. Folks nowadays want to worship God "in their own
way". However, God tells us in John 4:23-24 "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true
worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth". And in John 17:17, we
are told what the truth is... "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." The root is that the truth
(KJV 1611 Authorized Version) has been set aside and replaced with imitations (NASB, NIV, NKJV, etc)
that have led to the undermining of true Christianity. Laodicea is in full swing; we have a generation
"having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." (II Tim. 3:5) Christian, we don't have to give
in and follow the crowd in their downward spiral. We are told to flee it.   Let's be bold, stand for the truth,
and look and behave like Christians. The Lord Jesus Christ is our STANDARD, His word is our BANNER.
We are in a battle, and we need to STAND! Jer 6:16 "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see,
and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls".
Eph 6:11-14 "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of
the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth"...(AV 1611). STAND! And determine not to FALL
for Satan's tactics.   In II Cor. 3:18-4:4 we see that we are to be changed, "But we all, with open face
beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even
as by the Spirit of the Lord. Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint
not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the
word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s
conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of
this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,
who is the image of God, should shine unto them."

If we are trying to blend in to the surroundings, maybe we need to determine if there is any chance it is
because we are ashamed to stand out... Rom 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is
the power of God unto salvation...". It is our obligation to be an example, to put on the new man and walk
in newness of life. Anyone can look like the crowd....it takes real courage to STAND OUT. Give it a try!

More thoughts:

THE WORD -How important is the Word of God?

Mission Stories to inspire -Articles and Information about those who would give all

Rubies is a page for our ladies, by our ladies, to
encourage one another to be the godly women we
should in a world trying to distract us from
God's original purpose for women.

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