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When is excellence enough? - 9/27/2008 9:16:18 PM
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rafferty_uy
Posts: 10
Joined: 7/21/2008
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I have a question... I believe that the Bible teaches us that we should always pursue excellence. I got that from this verse:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
~ Philippians 4:8 NIV
My question is, when is excellence enough? Is it being the best in what you do? Or is it simply being in the upper class? In my opinion, the level of excellence is relative... which often lead me into the trap of pride and superiority.
Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary defines "excellence" as superior or first-class.
What do you think?
Rafferty
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RE: When is excellence enough? - 9/27/2008 9:45:00 PM
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Nateyisrael
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From: Chicago
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What do you mean is excellence? What do you some times look down on others?
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RE: When is excellence enough? - 9/27/2008 9:47:35 PM
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LCannon
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From: Lebanon, OR
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"Excellence" are those flashes of obedience in 'glimpses of conscience' in the very heart(the sweet spot)of God's Will and he knows it.
_____________________________
"It may be that when the angels go about their task of praising God they play
only Bach. I am sure, however, that when they are together en famille they
play Mozart and then too our dear Lord listens with special pleasure."(Karl Barth)
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RE: When is excellence enough? - 9/28/2008 1:32:28 PM
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MrFribbles
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From: Hawaii, but I've moved around since then
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Excellence should not be judged on the grounds of comparison with others. Rather, it should be judged internally, based on your own standing with God based on the gifts and abilities He has given you, and your faithfulness in using them for His glory.
_____________________________
You're a door without a key,
A field without a fence.
You've made a holy fool of me,
And I've thanked you ever since.
- Aaron Weiss
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RE: When is excellence enough? - 9/29/2008 8:13:39 AM
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rafferty_uy
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Joined: 7/21/2008
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Thanks all for your answers. You guys are of course right, I always try to be the best in everything I do and that is how I used to define excellence. Then I lost sight of that because I see people doing better and it just does not give me the feeling that it was my best. It is the thought "if they can do it, so can I" that is lurking on my head.
So then, I thought about this verse and realized that God's definition of excellence is not being the best in everything you do... because all kinds of comparison, division, etc. can arise from this.
I just wonder if there is another useful verse that can shed more light into this.
Rafferty
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RE: When is excellence enough? - 9/29/2008 9:43:46 AM
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timf
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My question is, when is excellence enough?
Every other religion and cult is based on works. This is because Satan understands the attractiveness to the flesh of works based religion. You can read about what he accomplished with the Pharisees and observe that he tries the same thing with Christians.
The verse you cite is an example of Paul telling us to guard our thoughts. This is similar to the verse that says make no provision for the flesh. We have control of our words, thoughts, and actions. Paul encourages us to exercise that control to maintain an alignment with the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
All too often we think that it is this effort of ours that perfects us or helps us grow in Christ. The real transformative work in our lives comes from the Holy Spirit in proportion to the surrender of ourselves to our Lord.
When we think we are the ones to accomplish this work, we quench the Spirit, elevate the flesh, and carry ourselves further away from our Lord.
We need to remember that real excellence is in Christ, not us or what we achieve.
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RE: When is excellence enough? - 9/29/2008 10:02:41 AM
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Liveloved
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quote:
What do you think?
rafferty,
I think (know) it's not about me or my excellence. It's about the excellence of JESUS. Think about Him. Consider Jesus and the things of earth (including your self) will fade away into insignificance. Bless ya, LL
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RE: When is excellence enough? - 9/29/2008 10:03:33 AM
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rcjames
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From: Oklahoma
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rafferty_uy
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
~ Philippians 4:8 NIV
My question is, when is excellence enough? Is it being the best in what you do? Or is it simply being in the upper class? In my opinion, the level of excellence is relative... which often lead me into the trap of pride and superiority.
Taking the whole verse in context the use of exc ellence here would refer to goog and Godly things and not things that are not good or that or unGodly.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: When is excellence enough? - 9/29/2008 12:07:48 PM
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1love1God1way
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Integrity.
_____________________________
love.ben
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