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- Apr 25, 2006
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Are you striving for excellence?
'I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God...' Philippians 3:14
Are you a good Christian? How good? The best in your youth-group? More radical than anyone in your church? Head and shoulders above everyone you meet at festivals? Holier than John Wesley? OK, it's a daft question really, only God knows how sold-out you are; so, let's not start comparing ourselves to others. That's not a measure of how good a Christian we are.
Psychology professor Jon Johnston points out the difference between being a success and being excellent: 'Success bases our worth on a comparison with others, excellence measures us against our own potential.'
Are you striving for success or excellence? There's an embarrassing moment for the disciples in John 18. 'The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine' (John 18:19 NKJV). Of His words Jesus could say, '...Ask those who have heard Me...' (John 18:21 NKJV), but of His disciples, He said nothing, because they'd all forsaken Him.
What about us? If we're asked about what we believe can we spout off, 'listen to those who've heard me'. What about our discipleship; what answers would you get if you asked those who knew you? Do your words match up to your living? Can you say like Paul, 'I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God?'
written by Bob Gass
'I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God...' Philippians 3:14
Are you a good Christian? How good? The best in your youth-group? More radical than anyone in your church? Head and shoulders above everyone you meet at festivals? Holier than John Wesley? OK, it's a daft question really, only God knows how sold-out you are; so, let's not start comparing ourselves to others. That's not a measure of how good a Christian we are.
Psychology professor Jon Johnston points out the difference between being a success and being excellent: 'Success bases our worth on a comparison with others, excellence measures us against our own potential.'
Are you striving for success or excellence? There's an embarrassing moment for the disciples in John 18. 'The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine' (John 18:19 NKJV). Of His words Jesus could say, '...Ask those who have heard Me...' (John 18:21 NKJV), but of His disciples, He said nothing, because they'd all forsaken Him.
What about us? If we're asked about what we believe can we spout off, 'listen to those who've heard me'. What about our discipleship; what answers would you get if you asked those who knew you? Do your words match up to your living? Can you say like Paul, 'I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God?'
written by Bob Gass
