We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth….The Lord God says, I will show you the most excellent way….Think about and practice whatever is excellent. (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 12:31; Philippians 4:8-9)
Playing the Long Game
In 1997, Gary McPherson studied 157 randomly selected children as they picked out and learned a musical instrument. Some went on to become fine musicians and others never did. McPherson searched for the traits that made some successful. It wasn’t IQ, aural sensitivity, math skills, income, or a sense of rhythm. What was the key? Some students were committed to playing their instrument for the long haul. Those who planned to play short-term or had only modest success. The ones who soared said, in effect: “I want to be a musician. I’m going to play my whole life.”1
Growing Christians approach discipleship with a similar attitude: “I want to follow Jesus (including loving others, studying God’s Word, and building up Christ’s Church) my whole life.” Those Christians may stumble often, but over the long haul they will soar. It takes time and energy to grow into Christian maturity. Eugene H. Peterson calls it, “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction.” Jesus calls us to deeper discipleship, not a quick fix.
In the last chapter, I began to explain excellence, using parts of 1 Corinthians 13 (the Love Chapter) which Paul calls “the most excellent way.” The first two aspects of Christ-like excellence are positive: patience and kindness. The next two aspects of godly excellence are negative traits to avoid: envy and boasting.
Christ-like Excellence Does Not Envy
“Envy” was the title of a Ben Stiller movie in 2004. Ben’s character confessed to his friend, “I am so wrapped up in the envy I feel for everything you have. It’s like a green-eyed monster in my soul that poisons my head….Jealousy is chewing me up.” Envy and jealousy come from comparing and competing. We may fall into these traps when we feel unloved or insecure. We may also stumble when we are going through a painful time, and it feels like everyone around us has it easier than we do.
Envy makes us miserable and muddies our thinking. King Jesus spoke the 10th Commandment at Mt. Sinai, warning us not to covet our neighbor’s house, spouse, servants, riches, or anything that belongs to our neighbor.2 King David lusted after Bathsheba, then committed adultery with her, stole her, murdered her husband, and lied to cover up his crimes. He broke half of the 10 Commandments in that affair–and it all began with coveting!3 Coveting is the root of many sins and to avoid it we must pray and work for each other’s success. We must also make ourselves accountable to other brothers and sisters who help us avoid sin.
Envy is the opposite of love. It destroys marriages and friendships because it spoils our enjoyment of the Lord’s goodness to others. He commands us, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”4
Envy is rebellion against the Lord, feeling bitter that God has graciously given someone else an advantage or privilege that we think we deserve. This was the sin of Cain that prompted him to murder his brother, Abel. It is the sin of the chief priests and elders who resented Jesus’ success, so they wanted to kill Him.5 It is the sin of Satan, who is jealous of God’s glory, majesty, and sovereignty. Envy distances us from God.
Antidote to Envy
Christ-like excellence is contented and joyful, celebrating all the ways God has blessed us already. When we are secure in our identity in Christ, we are free to celebrate the blessings and breakthroughs of others as teammates celebrate a point in a game, knowing we are on the same side. When our desires for ourselves are fewer, our peace will be greater. Jesus commands us not to worry about what we eat, drink, or wear, but to seek His honor first and most. Then He will meet all our needs. We can take every desire to Him, trusting Him to give us only what is best. The Savior says, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”6
Christ-like Excellence Does Not Boast or Show Off
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) began many of his compositions with the inscription, “Jesus, help me!” and signed them “Glory to God Alone.” Bach was a devout and committed Christian, and if he, one of the best musicians of all time, could be so humble with his genius, then we must do the same with whatever abilities the Lord has given us. In our talents, our relationships, in the classroom or workplace, and in God’s church, we can accomplish great things for Christ, providing we are not greedy about who gets the credit.
Arthur S. “Art” DeMoss (1926-1979) was a Christian businessman who made his fortune by mass marketing insurance policies via TVads. When he was young, Art was a wild rebel, involved in gambling, living far from God. But in 1950, the Holy Spirit brought Art to repent and trust Jesus as Lord and Savior. DeMoss never got over the wonder of God graciously saving him. When you asked Art, “How are you doing?,” he would often answer, “Better than I deserve.”7 My friend in Houston says, “Better than I realize.” All of us ought to feel this way. The Aposlte Paul says: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst, the chief, the foremost.”8 If we constantly remember that our salvation comes to us only by God’s unmerited favor, through faith in Jesus alone, that helps us not to brag about anything. Christians should be the most humble people in the world.
God often saves people who seem foolish, weak, and despised in the world’s eyes. And He often passes over people who seem smart, powerful, and from important families. It is only by God’s free grace that anyone is included in Jesus’ family. “Christ has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, let the one who boasts boast in the Lord….God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”9
Our modern culture emphasizes self-promotion as the way to get ahead. This idea is not new. At the Last Supper, Jesus spoke about laying down His life for us on the Cross. And the twelve apostles totally missed it. They start arguing about which of them was greatest! Christ said that unbelievers (pagans) always try to one-up each other, but we should never be like that.
Among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:26-28)
All of life is by God’s grace alone. In Him we live and move and have our being. And everything we have is His gift. Our possessions, privileges, and places are freely given to us by God. Our achievements, abilities, brains, and beauty are all gifts from Christ. Whether great or small, everything we are and have comes down from the Father of heavenly lights.
So how can we ever brag or strut around like peacocks? Boasting, like envy, makes us compare ourselves to and compete with other people. We may secretly hate them, look down on them, or aim to hurt them. These are not the excellent ways of Christ. Instead, let us think, speak, and do only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that we may benefit people around us.10
One hymn says:
Take time to be holy, Speak oft with your Lord;
Abide in Him always, And feed on His word.
Make friends of God’s children. Help those who are weak.
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.11
Prayer
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we praise You that You are compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. We thank You that You have been merciful to us. Fill us to overflowing with Jesus-like love so we can serve other people for You and bring You honor. Help us to prepare for Heaven by loving You and loving people made in Your image and likeness. Make us resemble Your excellence. We pray in Christ’s name. Amen.
Notes (various Bible translations): 1 David Brooks, The Social Animal (2011), pp. 134-135. 2 Exodus 20:17. 3 See 2 Samuel chapters 11-12. 4 Rom 12:15. 5 Matt 27:11-18. 6 Luke 12:29-32. 7 somethinggoodradio.org, “Better Than I Deserve!” by Dr. Ron Jones, March 2, 2009. 8 1 Tim 1:15. 9 1 Cor 1:26-31; 1 Peter 5:5; Prov 3:34. 10 Eph 4:29. 11 This beloved devotional hymn comes to us from British layman William Dunn Longstaff (1822-1894). Since his father was a wealthy ship owner, Longstaff was a person of independent financial means. Due to his generous philanthropy, he blessed many people. 12 Prayer draws on Exodus 34:6; Psalm 86:5,15; Jonah 4:2; Prov 3:10; Isaiah 66:11; Eph 3:19.