Why Fit in When You Were Made to Stand Out?

What makes a Christian stand out from his peers? What might the world see in him that sets him apart from everyone else?

Obviously, it isn’t the cross necklace, as 50 Cent, LL Cool J, and Eminem have so vehemently proven. And for that matter, it isn’t enough to eschew cussing, lying, cheating, or engaging in underage drinking parties. Because even non-Christians can adopt a lifestyle that is, by human standards, virtuous and honorable.

So how can you be certain when someone looks at you, your life, and your mannerisms, they will know you are a Christian? How can you glorify God with your life and point others to him?

Start with these seven virtues—traits all Christian teens should adopt. Because you were made to stand out.

Made to Stand Out: The 7 Virtues of Make Christian Teens Who Glorify God

1) Be humble.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

For many, being humble means not gloating when you score the highest grade in trig or make the winning shot at the state basketball championship. This is true, but humility goes much deeper than that.

For a Christian, humility means not only recognizing that you are not God, but that you have nothing to offer God. Your best works still fall short of perfection, and your greatest strengths and talents don’t amount to much when you compare yourself to him. Humility happens in your heart. And because true humility is rare, others can’t help but notice.

How to do it: Because it comes from within, start with prayer and ask God to change your heart. When that happens, your outward actions will fall in line and it will become evident to others.

2) Let the world see your thirst.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

A “thirst for righteousness” doesn’t mean you long to be so obviously better than everyone else they can’t help but bow to your greatness (see the previous point.) This sort of thirst means you crave the righteousness found only through Jesus. You yearn for salvation and closeness with God. You eat up his words and want more. Church, prayer, and Bible study aren’t snore-worthy elements in your regular schedule, but something you look forward to. 

How to do it: Let others see your eagerness to know God and learn more about him. Invite them to join you at church, Bible study, or a Christian concert. Your excitement may be the very thing that draws another soul to him.

3) Shine with forgiveness and mercy.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7

Revenge. Justice. The good ol’ “I told you so.” We all want it at some point, and many times that desire is justified. But you were once on the opposite end.

Your sinful nature drove a wedge between you and God. Whether literally or figuratively, you found yourself on your knees, begging for mercy for your many sins with no defense. And the one you offended—God—gave you a way out.

Because you have been shown mercy in the face of eternal death, you are free to show mercy to others. You have been forgiven so you can grant forgiveness.

How to do it: Now is the time to let go of the grudges you hold against others. Be quick with compassion, slow with anger. And again, pray to God for help if you struggle with this area!

4) Honor purity.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8

Edward Cullen in Twilight had the terrifying ability to hear what others think. I say terrifying because can you imagine having a friend who could hear every utterance that runs through your head? What if you possessed that talent? Who has an absolutely pure mind one hundred percent of the time? 

I shudder to think about it.

No one is pure except those who have been made pure through Christ. We’ve all failed in that area, but Jesus took away your filth and gave you his holiness. Let it show not only in your actions, but also your attitude.

How to do it: Yes, this means choosing purity in your romantic relationships and in the media you consume. It means using clean language, putting sex back on the pedestal of marriage, and saying no to the racy movie your friends want to watch. But it also means embracing holiness not as a ball and chain you must drag around, but as a way to glorify the God who has made you pure. Let it be known that you strive for purity not because your Sunday school teacher told you to, or because you want to be better than everyone else, but because you love God more than anything else.

Related: The Right Reason For Purity: Do You Know What It Is?

5) Be a peacemaker for others.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9

Everyone wants world peace, but no one wants to be the first to lay down in an argument. Is that what being a peacemaker means? Giving in? Saying, “Let’s accept our differences and just be friends”?

For the Christian, being a peacemaker takes on a bigger meaning. You might act as mediator between two friends in a dispute. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, you have firsthand experience with forgiveness and reconciliation. You have the fruits of the spirit like patience, peace, and gentleness (see Galatians 5:22-23), all golden elements in moments of conflict.

Peacemaking also means intervening between God and a fellow human. Your unbelieving friend is headed for hell and you have the remarkable opportunity to intercept him—to help him make peace between himself and God. Just as Jesus stepped between us and an angry God, so you are called to step in and offer intercession between God and an unbelieving friend. Your prayers, your attempts to share the truth are no small matter and can make the world of difference for one lost soul.

How to do it: Pray for your unbelieving friends and family members, but also step up and guide them in moments of conflict. Use every opportunity to point them to Christ.

6) Admit when you are wrong.

I consider this a tagalong to being a peacemaker because, let’s face it, admitting fault has become something of a lost art. It starts with the kid who refuses to put on his coat even though he’s freezing, and it climbs all the way up to the government officials who continue draining the economy long with failed policies. And it strikes every one of us in between.

How to do it: If you step back and say, “Wait. I was wrong and you were right,” you will definitely get someone’s attention. The very fact that you are Christian means you’ve said it to God at least once: I was wrong, Jesus, and you are right. You are the only way to eternal life.

7) Love, even the people you don’t like.

This one is so big—probably the biggest difference between a Christian and a non-Christian—that it deserves its own post. Hop on over to Happy Valentine’s Day To My Enemies.

[To read the entire passage, from which the above scripture verses were taken, see Matthew 5.]