SEPTEMBER 20

2 Corinthians 6:17

                           BE SEPARATE

Be separate is to stand alone. Christians must be different from the people around them. We don’t try to fit into the world, be popular by dressing in a certain way and act in a particular manner. Notice that people in a gang dress and act in the same way.

To stand alone means you must be willing to be different and separate from the world. It requires you to decide to stand alone. In the Old Testament, Daniel was only a youth when he “__________ {Unscramble UOESRPPD} in his heart...” (Daniel 1:8). He resolved not to de le himself with all the worldly pleasures in the king’s court. He wanted nothing to pollute or corrupt his mind and heart, whether it be through food or activities. You can be like Daniel. You can make the decision to stand alone now.

As Daniel had made the commitment, he was prepared. When King Darius decreed that no one could pray to any god except him, Daniel would not compromise his faith. He had been living for God. So, he could stand alone publicly in this circumstance. He was always ready to stand alone for God.

Think about the habit you have of brushing your teeth every day. Do you stand in front of the mirror and debate the value and benefit of brushing your teeth every day? Or do you just do it because you know it’s the right thing to do? It is most likely that you decided long ago to brush your teeth daily. It means you don’t debate every day why you need to brush your teeth.The same goes to making the decision to stand alone. You decide in your heart so that when someone gives you a hard time, you will not compromise your faith but stand for righteousness.

Standing alone also makes us stand out in a world that is full of wrongdoing. Stand out as an honest and trustworthy person. This is good and pleasing to the Lord because He is righteous and cannot tolerate sin. Do not follow the crowd.

Thought: Why must you stand alone and stand out?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to stand alone in this world instead of following the world’s ways. Give me courage to do this. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.