“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” ~Mathew 28:19
Jesus gives us some very important instructions in Mathew 28:19 to ‘Go’ and make disciples out of all nations, But for us, sometimes it’s easier said than done.
Reminds me of the first time I went out for evangelism, I really was very anxious, because one; I had never evangelized to anyone ever, also I am kind of introverted myself thus approaching new people is not something that I do oftenly, I also wasn’t sure what to say so it wasn’t easy for me. But we had a prayer session before we went out for the evangelism and it really helped me a lot, I don’t know how but The Lord provided the utterance. I also had good guidance from of some of my friends who accompanied me who gave me some encouragement.
“Evangelism scares us. When we’re not regularly telling others about Jesus, we feel guilty. When we are, we wonder if we’re doing it right, if the person we’re sharing with is going to reject us or, worse, ask us a biblical question for which we won’t have an answer. “
~baptispress
Now, here are some things that can help us overcome the fear of evangelism
Prayers
Prayers is one of the ways we can communicate with our Father. Through prayers we can ask God for strength and utterance and above ask for His will to be done (Hebrews 4:16, Philippians 4:6-7). Through prayers and the word of God, the Lord also instruct us.
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
~Hebrews 4:16
The Word of God
The word of God is God breathed (2 Tim 3:17).It’s only through God’s word that we are transformed through the power of the Holy spirit given to us. The word being the lamp to our feet and a light to our path, (Psalms 119: 105) guides us and helps us overcome every challenge we may face. (Eph 6:17) ‘THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT’
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
~Timothy 3:16-17
Guidance from fellow believers
Heading out to spread the good news with your friends can really help you tackle any nerves about sharing your faith. You can lift each other up, swap experiences, and help each other out with any hurdles you encounter. It’s all about having each other’s backs!
Being Intentional
We are entrusted with the sacred responsibility of zealously sharing the boundless love of God with all, leveraging our unique capabilities to seize every moment and propagate the gospel. Let us keep in mind that the scriptures affirm that our lives are not our own, but a vessel for the indwelling of Christ; therefore, prioritizing the fulfillment of His will on earth must be our paramount focus.
Remember that the Spirit Is in You
We have the spirit of God in us. We are not given a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love and sound mind. (2 Tim1:7) And we are called to overcome. During evangelism you can come across people who have questions, this should not intimidate you, just let the Holy Spirit use the living Word inside of you to bring the truth
“I dare you to make a head first, eyes closed leap into a conversation with someone about Jesus.”
~ Jason Larson
In conclusion all this is that the name of God may be glorified and there is joy in heaven when one sinner repents more than ninety-nine others who need no repentance (Luke 15:7).
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
” Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny.”
ARISTOTLE
Excellence means being exceptionally good and outstanding in all you commit to do. Well, It just means striving to be the best you can be and to do the best you can do in all your endeavor’s.Excellence reflects moral virtue and therefore strives towards what is positive, valuable and praiseworthy.
Pursuing excellence begins from a point of realizing that there is NO ultimate!! -You have to keep moving forward because there is more to God’s plan for you and me. Excellence comes as a result of building more capacity and developing yourself for increased efficiency. Bytheaway, you might be asking yourself, “what is the whole point of developing and leading a life of excellence whose capacity is well built?” I will answer you shortly.
I will start by narrating a small fable of a man who sets on one morning to chop trees.The man sets to work using a dull axe, and despite his best efforts, he makes very little progress. An old man comes by and asks the man why he is struggling. The man explains that he is trying to chop down the tree, but his axe is too dull. The old man suggests to that man that he should take a break and sharpen his axe. The man is hesitant to take a break, feeling that he doesn’t have any time to waste, but the old man insists, explaining that sharpening the axe will actually make the task easier and more efficient.The man finally takes a break and sharpens his axe. When he returns to the task of chopping down the tree, he finds that it is much easier and faster with a sharp axe, and he is able to complete the task in no time.
This metaphorical story shows the importance of taking breaks and investing time and effort into self-care, skill-building, and preparation before fulfilling our assignments.
“Pursuing excellence begins from a point of realizing that there is NO ultimate!! -You have to keep moving forward because there is more to God’s plan for you and me.”
Building up and developing oneself takes significant time which may actually be mistaken for wasting time, but in essence it is quite the opposite. It became easier for the man to cut the tree once he invested in sharpening his axe. The story emphasizes that taking time to sharpen our tools and skills can actually save us time and effort in the long run, and make us more effective and efficient in our tasks. And this actually clearly shows that developing oneself is for increased efficiency. Try to take a break from trying too hard and focus on sharpening your skills. It may take listening to many scholars and reading hundreds of books to perfect your writing skills, watching a number of tutorials to improve your cooking skills, attending a number of training sessions to better your coding skills and alot more. Achieving excellence is never easy to do. Excellence is a quality that people really appreciate, because it’s so hard to find.
From a Biblical perspective, being outstanding or extremely good seem most applicable when it is seen as the pursuit of, or abounding in, Christ-like virtue. The fact that we have been perfected in Christ , does not exempt us from pursuing excellence.
This is a mistake oftenly made by arrogant believers . Self development also known as personal development covers the entire being. We develop spiritually, economically, academically and socially.
It is God’s will for us to develop. Outside Him, there is no development. It is only through Him and In Him that we can develop. Yes you heard me right. It is only through His way not the World’s way. Probably, you are wondering how, How so? So, you want something more grounded, more of this world… Sorry, the Bible does not have much in common with these: leadership, speaker, success, team-building, manager qualities, training, speech, influence, vision, potential, focus, efficiency, business, coach, mentor and CEO. Not that it despises them − even its’ heroes have been recognized for these things – but puts in front of all these a coefficient of something else, an infusion of divine. Today, personal development is promoted without God. Instead, the biblical equation is clear: personal development = the knowing of God. so, if you want to know what does the Bible say, then look for people who have developed themselves with God.
“Excellence is a quality that people really appreciate, because it’s so hard to find.“
"And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years, and in favor with God and man."- Luke 2:52
Have a closer look- see the personal development of Jesus: ‘Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men’. An ideal example of how self development ought to be. It is a series of overlapping categories within four domains: mental (wisdom), physical (stature), social (favour with men) and spiritual (favour with God). Jesus has already set the bar for us. He has shown us how a life of excellence should be. He changed the entire portfolio of personal development. If we are to speak collectively, try Ephesians 4: 13-15, where the goal for all Christians is clearly set: to be as Christ, that is, to be at the height of His stature.
"But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in ALL things into Him who is the head -Christ." - Ephesians 4:15
The emphasy here is that we must grow in ALL things. He is the standard man. Jesus is the flawless standard man who knew the secret behind self development. We therefore must emulate Him , bringing us to the conclusion that self development comes from a point of knowing God first and then following the example of Christ.
“The biblical equation is clear: personal development = the knowing of God. so, if you want to know what does the Bible say, then look for people who have developed themselves with God.”
In conclusion, it is indisputable that the building blocks of excellence form the bedrock upon which personal development is constructed. Self-awareness, goal setting, continuous learning, resilience, self-care, and positive habits intertwine to create a robust foundation that propels you toward growth and achievement. Personal Excellence is the journey of positive development beyond one’s self and is a step by step process of improving oneself in every aspect of life. Although the process is difficult and requires patience but it benefits those who want to live a successful life of excellence.It requires building up on a life of discipline. Many things get in the way of pursuing excellence, including apathy, carelessness, and laziness. Our sinful nature is that part of us that is unlike God and is in fact in opposition to God and His excellence. We cut corners, we shirk and we find ourselves settling for second best (or third or fourth best).
“God’s cure for our careless ways is to remind us that He is our ultimate judge. We must answer to Him for how we spend our time, our resources, and our energy . Striving for excellence should be a part of all we do.“
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” - Colossians 3:23–24.
Aware that it is Christ Himself we are serving, we don’t want to present Him with anything but excellence. Whether it is leading in praise team or serving the community or whether it is cleaning the church or pursuing our careers. we should strive for excellence in work ethic, in character, and in craftsmanship. No one is good at everything, but we’re all good at something. God expects us to develop the skills and gifts He has given us in order to serve Him and others better. Paul addressed the subject of excellence in Romans 12:6–8: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” In other words, find your gifts and use them with excellence.
“The reward of a thing well done is to have done it.”
In the pursuit of excellence, we often find ourselves trying to answer the question of ‘how do we achieve excellence?’ While talent may be innate, it is the relentless dedication and hard work that truly paves the path to excellence.
“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution.” Excellence is the relentless pursuit of perfection in every task we undertake. “
Usually The first and greatest victory is conquering oneself as true success lies in the ability to overcome setbacks through unwavering determination and effort.
Malcolm Gladwell, In his book “Outliers,”introduces the concept of the “10,000-Hour Rule,” suggesting that mastery in any field requires approximately 10,000 hours of dedicated practice. By embracing deliberate practice and consistent effort, we can inch closer to excellence with each passing day.
So the journey towards excellence, is a multi-dimensional endeavor that demands, dedication, perseverance, and a deep commitment to growth. And as we navigate through the intricacies of this pursuit, we encounter the following dimensions that shape our quest for greatness.
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
1. Hard Work:
At the heart of every extraordinary achievement lies the toil of hard work. Excellence is earned through relentless efforts which include mastering a skill, excelling in academics, or hard work is the foundation upon which excellence is built.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." - Colossians 3:23
2. Discipline:
Discipline is the unwavering commitment to stick to our goals, follow through with our plans, and resist the allure of distractions. It ensures that we stay on course, even when the journey is tough, and the path ahead seems uncertain.
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." - Hebrews 12:11
3. Resilience:
In the pursuit of excellence, setbacks are inevitable. However, it’s our ability to bounce back from these adversities that sets us apart. Resilience fuels our perseverance and propels us forward, no matter the challenges we face.
4. Passion:
Passion is the fire that burns within us, igniting our enthusiasm, and fueling our determination. When we are passionate about what we do, we are willing to go the extra mile, push beyond our limits, and strive for greatness with unwavering zeal.
5. Self-Worth:
Self-worth provides the foundation upon which we build our confidence, resilience, and determination. When we recognize our own value and potential, we unleash our innate abilities and pursue our goals with unwavering conviction.
6. Focus
Focus is the ability to channel our energy and attention towards our goals, blocking out distractions and staying laser-focused on the task at hand. With this we maintain clarity of purpose and make steady progress towards our aspirations.
In conclusion, it’s by embracing these core elements and integrating them into our lives, we unlock our full potential and embark on a journey towards greatness. So let us embrace the challenge, rise above the ordinary, and strive for excellence in all that we do.
“Excellence is not being the best. It is about doing your best. “
So What does it mean to be a man of excellence?
Many of us picture it in terms of praise worth achievements like winning championships, being always at the top of your class or even having wealth more than everyone else. Yes all this do in a way define excellence but looking at the bigger picture, is there a long term sense of fulfilment after these accomplishments.
You see When you become the best in something, there is always the sense of accomplishment, it causes a dopamine rise, but it soon fades away as fast as it came. Sometimes the reason most of us strive to excel in something is so as to show the world how good we are.
Sometimes the reason most of us strive to excel in something is so as to show the world how good we are. If this becomes the motivation, then definitely it becomes a habit and can easily lead you to a loophole.You’ll have to indulge in more and more risky stuff for you to get that dopamine rise. So, in this context, excellence only becomes an addiction, a bad one I may add. We’ve heard stories of people who died while trying to break certain records.
Let’s flip the coin. What if we change the narrative? What about we stop striving to excel so that people can see us. We stop caring about the accolades we’ll get and our focus becomes, ‘how to do the best.’
“Don’t climb a mountain with an intention that the world See’s you, Climb with an intention to see the world. “
Excellence should be a drive from the inside not from the outside. The desire to excel should be exclusive of the fact whether somebody appreciates it or not. As the famous quote goes, “If an egg is broken by an outside force, life ends. If broken by an inside force, life begins.”
A Bibilical Perspective
Imagine the life of Jesus. What if Jesus forgot about His purpose and was concerned about what people said about Him? He would have spent most of His time proving them wrong instead of establishing His ministry. Despite facing criticism, rejection, persecution, etc. He remained focused on His mission of spreading love, compassion and teachings of redemption.
“A leader who speaks the truth seeks to empower you while the one who tells you what you want to hear seeks to control you”
The reason why the life of Jesus is a story of excellence is because He didn’t seek approval from His audience. He didn’t aspire to be liked, but to fulfil His purpose. He knew in order to excel He had to tell people the bitter truth, whether they like it or not.
In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus talks about the light. He compares light to a town built on a hill; it cannot be hidden. He teaches that we should let our light shine upon others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify God in heaven. Note this; ‘that they may see your good deeds and glorify God in heaven.’ So, whenever we live a life of excellence, the goal should be to bring glory to God not to self.
Matthew 6:1-4; “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. ~ NKJV Version.
Jesus warns against seeking approval from men. When we do deeds of excellence it should be the same, it should not be for men to see and to praise us, but our deeds should bring glory to God and there can be no greater reward than this.
In a world filled with pressures and temptations, the concept of integrity might seem outdated or irrelevant to many young people. However, as followers of Christ, integrity should be at the core of who we are and how we live our lives. So, what exactly is integrity, and why is it important for us as Christians?
So what really is integrity?
You see Integrity is more than just being honest or doing the right thing when no one is watching. It’s about living a life that is consistent with our beliefs and values, even when it’s challenging or unpopular. It’s about being true to ourselves and to God, no matter the circumstances.
“It’s about living a life that is consistent with our believes and values. “
As Christians, we are called to be a light in the world, to stand firm in our faith, and to live with integrity in all areas of our lives. This means being honest in our relationships, being trustworthy in our commitments, and being authentic in our faith.
Living with integrity also means making choices that honor God, even when it’s difficult.
It means resisting the temptation to compromise our values or beliefs for the sake of fitting in or gaining approval from others. Instead, we should seek to please God above all else, knowing that His approval is what truly matters.
“Integrity is not always easy, especially in a culture that often promotes self-interest and instant gratification. However, the rewards of living with integrity far outweigh any temporary satisfaction we might gain from compromising our values. When we choose to live with integrity, we experience the peace and joy that come from knowing we are walking in obedience to God.“
So the Big question here is, how can we truly cultivate integrity in our lives as Christians?
Here are some few practical steps ;
1. Know God’s Word
Spend time reading and studying the Bible regularly. God’s Word provides us with guidance and wisdom for living a life of integrity.
2. Pray for Strength
Ask God to give you the strength and courage to live with integrity, even when it’s difficult. 3. Surround yourself with Like-minded people
Surround yourself with friends and mentors who share your values and will encourage you to live with integrity.
4. Be Accountable
Find someone you trust who can hold you accountable and help you stay on track in your commitment to integrity.
5. Practice self reflection
Regularly examine your actions and motives, asking yourself if they align with your values and beliefs.
“Finally as Christians, it’s important that we strive to be people of integrity in everything we do. Let’s be a generation that shines brightly for Christ, living with honesty, authenticity, and courage in a world that desperately needs to see the light of God’s love.”
Living in sexual purity is a journey that requires intentional choices, personal commitment, and a strong foundation of values. For those seeking guidance in maintaining a lifestyle aligned with their beliefs, the timeless wisdom found in the Bible can serve as a source of inspiration and strength. Let’s explore how to navigate the path of sexual purity with biblical principles as our guiding light.
Defining Sexual Purity (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5): The Bible emphasises the importance of living in sexual purity, urging believers to abstain from sexual immorality. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, it is written, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honour, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.”
Setting Boundaries (Proverbs 4:23):
Proverbs 4:23 advises, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Establishing clear boundaries is essential in guarding our hearts and maintaining sexual purity. Communicate your values and expectations in relationships, and be firm in upholding them.
The Importance of Commitment (1 Corinthians 6:18-20): In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, the Bible teaches, “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” Understanding our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit emphasizes the need for commitment to purity.
Guarding the Mind (Philippians 4:8): Philippians 4:8 encourages believers to focus their minds on what is pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Cultivating a pure thought life contributes to overall sexual purity.
Seeking Accountability (James 5:16): James 5:16 emphasizes the power of confession and accountability within the Christian community. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Having a support system and being accountable to others can provide strength and encouragement in the journey of sexual purity.
Living in sexual purity is a deliberate and challenging choice, but with the guidance of biblical principles, it becomes a journey of spiritual growth and obedience to God’s will. As we navigate relationships and confront the complexities of a world that often contradicts these principles, let the wisdom of the Scriptures be our compass, leading us towards a life that reflects holiness, honor, and obedience to the Creator’s design for intimacy.
