Seek to excel
By Evangeline unity Esaaba Folson
Eve so ye, for as much as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
Another translation (Weymouth New Testament) says
Therefore, seeking that you are ambitious for spiritual gift, seek to excel in them so as to benefit the church.
The scripture quote above seeks to advise us on issues concerning spiritual gifts. Many Christians are obsessed (do anything good or bad) with obtaining spiritual gifts. The intention is not to edify or benefit the church but rather to boast to the Christian community and their families and friends that they are exceptional Christians.
The point emphasized in the verse is not to excel in the use of spiritual gifts for self-gratifications but for the benefit of the church. How can we excel in the use of our spiritual gifts? We must:
- Develop our gifts
1 Corinthians 14:13-15
- Study the word
Psalm 119:105
- Obey or abide in the word
Deuteronomy 28:1-2
- Learn how to use your gift
Philippians 4:13
1 Corinthians 14:16-19
Develop our gifts
1 Corinthians 14:13-15
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my sprit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful what is it then? I will pray with the sprit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the sprit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
The passage above encourages Christians to seek to excel in the use of their gifts or develop our gift. If you can speak in tongues do not end there, pray for the ability to interpret the tongues. Because when you speak in tongues you edify yourself only. But if you can interpret tongues then the whole church can benefit. It could also lead you into prophecy as well. Also seek to do now not only for yourself but for the whole church.
Study the word
Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shall have good success.
In the verse above, Joshua directs the Israelites the original people the message was delivered to as well as all Children of God (Christians) to study and memorize the word of God day and night. Not only that, but applies it to our lives as well or obey what the bible says.
As we practice what the bible says we develop our gifts and set good examples for the church to follow (edify the church)
Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Light dispels darkness and shows the right path for us to for us to follow. That is what scripture or the world of God should do in our lives.
In times of trouble, or times when we need to take an important decision, we need to study what the bible passage related to our trouble or decision.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, there is nothing new under the sun, what you face now has been overcome by a character in the bible. For example if you need to find a wife proverb 31:30 says
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Young man, do not choose your wife based on her beauty alone because beauty fades as a woman grows and makes babies. Character and fear of the Lord should come before all other things
If you are having problems with your finances, check what the bible says on money.
Malachi 3:8-11 says if you pay your tithes faithfully (10% of your income)not only your salary but every extra income you receive as well God will shower you with blessing you cannot contain and rebuke the devourer for your sake(prevent you from loosing or wasting money on unnecessary things)
You will not work and spend all your income on drugs for yourself and your family.
Obey or abide in the word
Deuteronomy 28:1-2
And it shall come to pass, if thou hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord and do all His commandments which I commanded thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
And all these blessings shall come on thee and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.
According to the passage above, if you obey God’s commands He will bless you abundantly
Deuteronomy 28:13 adds that God will also make you the head always and not beneath. Sometimes, it might seem that you are going under, but God will revive you and bring you above.
John 15:7
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you
Obey the word of God or abide in the word no matter how difficult the situation. For instance, if you marry as an unbeliever and you get born again. It is true that the bible says “you should not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14). But it does not give you the license to divorce your husband or wife “God says He hates divorce” (Malachi 2:16-16). That is God’s stand. The bible goes on to say pray for your unbelieving wife or husband until h or she gets born again. (1 Corinthians 7:9-17)
Remember, the vow you made at the altar is ‘till death do us part” No other reason is good enough.
Learn how to use your gift
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
It is only when you use your gift that the church would be edified. Gifts cannot be used anyhow for self-gratification. You need to study the word carefully each day and pray for grace and strength to use it well such that it will benefit your church. At the beginning it may seem difficult but like the verse above says, you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
1 Corinthians 14:12-14
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
Wherefore let him speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. Or if I pray in an unknown tongue, my sprit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Always seek to do more with your gift to help the church and all the people you come into contact with.
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