Stand Out in Faith

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 1 Chronicles 4:9 (NKJV)

Out of all his brothers, Jabez from the tribe of Judah stood out because of his faith. He not only prayed to God to bless him and enlarge his territory, but for the Lord's guidance, to keep him from evil, and not to cause pain to others. Because Jabez approached God with humility, faith, and boldness, trusting that He heard and answered prayer according to His will, God granted Jabez what he requested.

Like Jabez, do we as Christians, stand out? Is our faith known at church, but our friends, our neighbors, our coworkers, or those in our community know nothing of our faith? Acts 4:13 says, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Being a Christian is not something you keep inside, but a declaration that the whole world sees of what Jesus had done for you. Like Peter and John, when we live a life for Jesus, we stand out and the world knows that we are Christians.

Choose to stand out for Jesus and let the world know you are a Christian. Live with unwavering faith and stand firm in your beliefs, even in difficult situations. When the world sees you get through a hard time by your faith, you will show them Jesus, and they will want the same. Show your love and let Jesus' light shine through acts of kindness, forgiveness, and compassion in everyday life. Be consistent in your values and actions, showing Christ in your relationships, work, and community. Be ready to share your faith when asked and let your character and integrity be the most powerful witness so that you can stand out as a believer in Christ.