Comments on: Why excellence? https://www.anotherthink.com/contents/essays_on_faith/20060213_why_excellence.html One Christian's view of postmodern life. Sun, 21 Jul 2013 17:49:55 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.5 By: Ken https://www.anotherthink.com/contents/essays_on_faith/20060213_why_excellence.html#comment-1041 Fri, 17 Feb 2006 20:09:39 +0000 http://144.24.24.144/contents/uncategorized/20060213_why_excellence.html#comment-1041 It’s noteworthy that the first time the Bible mentions someone being “filled with the holy spirit,” it is an artist (Bezalel), charged with overseeing the construction of the tabernacle. Thus even from the beginning, excellence was both a good that humans are charged with pursuing, and something that requires God’s grace to reach. See Exodus 35:30-35.

]]> By: Alex https://www.anotherthink.com/contents/essays_on_faith/20060213_why_excellence.html#comment-1040 Thu, 16 Feb 2006 03:53:11 +0000 http://144.24.24.144/contents/uncategorized/20060213_why_excellence.html#comment-1040 Hi Charlie:

This is really good stuff!

I like your thought that even in Old Testament times (Deut 30:14) God was telling His people that the choice to live an excellent life by being obedient to His plans and design was not something completely foreign to their nature and something within their reach.

I think that Jesus reiterates this when he says “be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect (Matt 5:48). Yet later, he also tells His disciples to “abide” in Him, because “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Perhaps the one who is true to the God-given desire and strives for excellence, not just of achievement but also of character, will be sure to find the Lord Jesus in the process:

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Matthew 5:6

“Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

John 18:37

]]> By: The Dane https://www.anotherthink.com/contents/essays_on_faith/20060213_why_excellence.html#comment-1039 Wed, 15 Feb 2006 22:52:33 +0000 http://144.24.24.144/contents/uncategorized/20060213_why_excellence.html#comment-1039 Charlie, though you may not yet have reached mediocrity as a tenor, I’m sure Pavarotti wishes he could reach mediocrity compared to your writing and heart. That is, if he’s got more that a lifeless slab of bratwurst resting in his brain cavity.

]]> By: Anna https://www.anotherthink.com/contents/essays_on_faith/20060213_why_excellence.html#comment-1038 Tue, 14 Feb 2006 16:37:55 +0000 http://144.24.24.144/contents/uncategorized/20060213_why_excellence.html#comment-1038 Hi!

Interesting post. The question of why we relentlessly seek excellence is a good one.

I heard an interview quite a while ago with a figure skater. He strove for years for the Olympic gold medal. Finally, he stood on the podium, the medal around his neck, our flag going up and the anthem being played. All he could think about was, “Is this all there is?” He felt empty on the inside.

If we’re seeking excellence to fill a void in our souls, we’re destined to disappointment. Only Jesus Christ can fill that place. If we’re seeking excellence as a way to glorify God in our lives, we’ll find joy in blessing His heart.

In the joy of the Lord,

Anna

]]> By: Bruce https://www.anotherthink.com/contents/essays_on_faith/20060213_why_excellence.html#comment-1037 Tue, 14 Feb 2006 00:16:41 +0000 http://144.24.24.144/contents/uncategorized/20060213_why_excellence.html#comment-1037 This makes me think of Romans 2:29, where Paul describes the “real Jew” as the one who is a Jew inwardly, with circumcision of the heart by the Spirit. “Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.” This praise sounds something like: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matt. 25:21) It’s normal and good to seek recognition for excellent performance. The important question remains “For what? And from whom?”

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