Seek To Excel

            Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

1 Corinthians 14:12 (KJV)  

 

            Everything that God does is in the highest and best interest of those who are His sons and daughters of faith. So, too, it must be that we develop this same character, nature and mind. Everything we do should be done with the highest and best interest of the Body of Christ and men and women everywhere.

            Many “Christians” are intrigued, fascinated by, and caught up with the operation of spiritual gifts. But, I wonder, how many are zealous (zhlwthv, zelotes)? That is, how many are, burning with zeal, jealous of the things of the spirit, and most eagerly desirous to understand and use them properly. How many are willing to die to self to acquire this gift. The Greek language is not saying, spiritual gifts, when it uses the word, pneuma, pneuma. The Apostle Paul is saying, “you are burning with a desire to know the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God Himself, the Breath of Life.” “You are zealous to become intimately acquainted with the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son.”

            He then calls for each one who is zealous to know the Holy Spirit and His ways to seek to excel for the purpose of building up the church. The words used are, perisseuw, perisseuo, which is translated, excel. It means to overflow unto the abundance that exceeds the natural and outstrips the casual seeker. Next is the word, edifying (oikodomh, oikodomer) which means to build up, encourage and strengthen. The object of the verse is the church, the, ecclesia (ekklhsia, ekklesia). These are the called out ones, those chosen and sent by God.

            Imagine the Church of today, if each member in particular would esteem the other members the same way that bodily organs and members support the health and well being of each other part. If every member would work in harmony with the intention of brining the highest and best of God to each and every one born of His Spirit and washed in the Blood. Let this be your quest today.

 

 

George

 

Copyright (c) 2009 George M. Stover Jr.