2 Corinthians. 8:7 NIV
But since you excel in EVERYTHING— IN FAITH, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
What is excellence? The dictionary says it is the quality of being outstanding or very good. The Greek word used in this verse is the word “Perisseuo”, and it means to be great, abundant, to overflow to exceed a fixed number or measure.
From both definitions we can say it is to go above the average, the norm.
Paul in addressing the Corinthian church says that just as they excel in EVERYTHING….
This reminds me of the verse that tells us that whatever our hands finds to do we should do with all our might.
God is a God of excellence, and he expects his children to be the same.
Paul commends the Corinth church for excelling in certain areas, and FAITH is the first area. Faith is simply believing in God and what he says in his word. The bible says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
Faith is ignited by hearing the word of God, meaning that a church that lays no emphasis on preaching and teaching the word of God is a church that cannot excel in faith.
Our faith must be tested just as Abraham’s faith was tested, and this test is to determine if we have truly believed what God says in his word. When the natural circumstances seem to contradict with what God says, what will you believe?
We must also learn to exercise our faith if it is to grow. We must speak and meditate on what God says consistently and never allow doubt to settle in our hearts no matter what the natural circumstances look like.
For a church to excel in faith, the individual Christian must excel in their personal walk of faith.
Reflections
Do you strive to excel in all you do, or are you content with the mediocre?
Are you excelling in your walk of faith, or are you content with being a mediocre or average Christian?
What must you do to ensure you are on the path to excelling in faith?
