Things That Are Excellent
Today’s Verse:
That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; ~Philippians 1:10
Excellence is the very highest and best. It is nothing less than “perfection” in delivery, quality, workmanship, and production. It is being flawless and unblameable. Paul stated a powerful principle about our work, words, and way of life: that we are to approve only those things that are excellent. Let us see this morning the things that are excellent that are pleasing to God.
Worship is excellent.
The highest exercise of the soul is the worship of God. The worship of God is when we give honor, exaltation, and praise to God for Who He is. We are to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. The Lord’s name is to be praised and worshipped. “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens” (Psalm 8:1). We worship Him by spending unrushed time in prayer and the Bible. We worship Him when we assemble as a congregation for the singing of hymns, the preaching of God’s Word, and the giving of our offerings.
Witness is excellent.
“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.” The mission of the Christian life is to witness of the saving grace of our Lord to the unsaved. Even though Paul was in bonds, his witness in Caesar’s palace was extensive. He said, “My bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places.” He did not let his circumstances become an excuse of why he could not witness. He further encouraged that we strive together for the faith of the gospel. In spite of our personality differences, there must be a mutual cooperation in advancing the gospel. Paul makes it clear in Philippians that our witness is one of the things that is excellent.
Oneness is excellent.
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). The church at Philippi was having personality conflicts. As a result, there was carnal and petty division. Paul exhorted the church to stop doing things through strife or vainglory, but instead, to have a spirit of unity and oneness. Oneness tells the world that we are Jesus’ disciples. Oneness is living out the “new commandment.” Oneness is being of the same mind towards another and having a servant’s heart. It is thinking the best of others and of how you can be a blessing to them.
Wholeheartedness is excellent.
The word sincere means being wholehearted. It is total transparency in our attitude, motive, and delivery. A sincere heart does not hold back but gives 110%. A sincere spirit is positive, encouraging, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. Paul went further by saying that we must “approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.” Our spirit and attitude must be wholehearted and blameless until Jesus comes. This promotes a spirit of consecration, character, and consistency. Things that are excellent are fruits of righteousness in our life. Let us not approve anything that is less than excellent.
Have an excellence-driven God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Revelation13-16