Philadelphia Baptist Church | Rubies | devotions for our ladies

Philadelphia Baptist Church
Independent, Fundamental, King James Bible-believing, Mission-minded

44 Kinsey Rd
Xenia, OH 45385
(937) 372-1611

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:

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