There is nothing wrong with wanting to excel in life, even in the physical or secular realm.  We should all strive to do our best in everything we do.   This week, let us think about being the best version of ourselves in areas that matter to God.  A good place to start is being the best Christians we can be.  Is that your aim?  Do you strive to excel as a Christian?  We all should.  Everything we do for Christ should be done with maximum effort.  This is a biblical principle.

Colossians 3:23–24 (ESV)
²³ Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Paul was referring to how we serve man in this passage, but the application should surely be applied to our service for God as well.  In fact, Paul says that we should view it all as service to the Lord, for our goal in everything that we do is to please Him.

Whatever work we do in the church, we should do it heartily.  If you lead singing, take it seriously, always trying to improve.  Practice at home.  Do whatever you can to excel.  If you teach a Bible class, study hard, and think about how you can best deliver the material to teach most effectively.  Strive to be more than an average Bible class teacher.  As members of local churches, we should want to make a difference in everything that we do, helping the congregation to reach its full potential, not a member who just warms a pew.  Our aim should always be to glorify Christ and please our heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Paul wrote of this kind of attitude by using the analogy of running a race.

1 Corinthians 9:24 (ESV)
²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

When it comes to running the race of Christianity, Paul is encouraging us to give maximum effort, running the race as if just one person will receive the reward of heaven, and we want to be that person.  Paul knew that everyone who finishes the race will get the prize, but he was encouraging saints to give their all.  This is how we become the best versions of ourselves as Christians.

Being the best you when it comes to being a Christian begins with your willingness to use the gifts or talents that God has given you.  If we are serious about serving Christ, we will figure out what we are good at and do it.  In another place, Paul put it like this:

Romans 12:6–8 (ESV)
⁶ Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; ⁷ if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸ the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

When we obeyed the gospel, we were saved by God’s grace and became a part of the family of Christ.  Let us not be satisfied with being saved; let us do our part in helping God save others by being the best Christians we can be.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.