Day 10
Success Marathon Series
Scripture Reading:
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1: 17, NIV
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1 Peter 2: 9, ESV
Excellence is a divine principle. This thought is supported by the words of the Apostle James “all perfect and EXCELLENT gift comes down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17, paraphrased). God is the fullness of what is excellent and He wants to express his excellence through us, as it is written “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellences of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9, ESV). In this first post of the week we want to emphasize that we are called to excellence. Everything must proclaim God’s excellences and this proclamation can be expressed in words or actions. We should therefore answer this calling by evaluating the level of excellence in our work. It is for this reason that we spoke first about negligence, which disqualifies one from the race towards excellence.
We will attempt to define excellence as an activity, entity or a product that goes beyond human reproach or is without blame in the sense that a qualified objective observer finds no fault in it. A contextual definition of excellence is meeting or exceeding an expected standard in a particular field. When our speech, studies, occupation, prayers, sermons and service extend to the point that one can find no blame in them – they approach excellence. The race for excellence is the driving force of life. Without excellence all activity will grow weary and come to a standstill. The Apostle Pauls says “…Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Philippians 3:10-12 NIV). When we are reading this scripture in the background of our theme verse we see that there is a responsibility on our behalf to press on towards excellence. We therefore challenge every child of God not to receive the grace of God in vain, but to fight the battle of excellence. Although the battle belongs to God we are His army. If we resolve to live excellently today not only are we fulfilling a calling, but we are also making good use of the painful and unbearable suffering of our Saviour that snatched us out of darkness, and called us into his marvelous light.
Prayer and Meditation:
Lord,
May you build excellence in me
May I strive to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Amen
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Jesus Christ To all Languages 