The More Excellent Way

Hello everyone,

How many times have you thought that your circumstances would be so much better if you had just done things differently?  If you had just made wiser choices, or reacted with better judgement, the outcome would have been worlds apart from how it is now.  Well, did you know that being able to make the best choices every time, so that you can walk in the outcome that is always right and accurate concerning God’s perfect will for you, is actually possible?  It’s called choosing to live the more excellent way, and it’s far more obtainable than you realize.  

The Apostle Paul has some brilliant wisdom on this topic.  He says we can live in a way where we learn to sense what the very best choices are to keep us living victoriously in life, and at the same time, help others attain victory by following our example.  

Philippians 1:10 in the Amplified Bibles says, “...so that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognising the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble].”(AMPC)

Paul knew that living from the perspective that we have the power to overcome, because of who we are in Christ, is far greater than living at the mercy of our circumstances, or suffering from the consequences of bad choices. If we are going to live confidently, in our God-given authority, to reign in life with Christ Jesus, we must pay careful attention to Paul’s words.

Now, right before Paul tells us about this more excellent way of life, he tells us how we can practically attain it. In Philippians 1:9 Paul says: “And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight [that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment].”(AMPC)

What was Paul talking about?  What did he mean when he said he prays our love may abound more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and keen insight?  Quite simply, Paul was talking about us having a dramatic increase of love for the Word of God!  You see, he said he was praying that our love would abound more and more to its fullest in knowledge and keen insight. That’s the Word of God.  According to the book of Proverbs 4:5, wisdom from God’s Word is knowledge and insight for comprehensive discernment.  So Paul is telling us to fall head over heels in love with God’s Word, which is knowledge and keen insight, so much so, that it becomes the chief passion and desire of our lives!  Remember, He said to let our love for the Word abound more and more.  

Why is this so important?  Because the Word of God is alive!  And the more we hear its truth, and receive it into our hearts, its wisdom and peace brings us a sure, strong hope in something that is far greater and more trustworthy than our own understanding, or anything else this world has to offer.  What makes that hope and wisdom fully develop inside of us, is when it’s received and embraced by love!  Which by the way, is the ingredient needed for faith to be produced and activated in our lives.  Do you know why?  Because perfect love casts out all fear, making faith powerfully effective. 

Now, reading on in Philippians 1:9, Paul says our love for God’s Word will result in two things: Firstly, a greater depth of acquaintance with the truth; and secondly, a more comprehensive discernment of knowing how to put it to work.  When both these qualities are at play in our lives, our confidence in God’s Word and our God-given authority to declare and operate in it, will pose a real threat to the enemy, as we are able to daily choose the more excellent way.

So, let’s take a look at the first result of being in love with God’s Word; which is having a greater depth of acquaintance of its truth. The phrase having a greater depth of acquaintance, means having a personal knowledge or experience with the Word, as you would a good friend.  Where you become more and more accustomed to it.  You begin to be familiar with how to approach it and enjoy its company. You begin to know your way around it, recognising the central truth that weaves its way through, bringing you to read scripture in context, and draw life and peace and hope, and wisdom from it.  As you become more acquainted with the Word, you begin to memorise where different truths are found, and as you read and study them, the Holy Spirit reminds you of, and leads you to others that confirm them.  It becomes the most exciting treasure hunt experience ever!  And each truth you find becomes established inside you where you are convinced it’s your truth.  And no matter what comes your way in life, nothing will move you on it. The devil can’t steal it from you because it’s so rooted in your mind and engraved on your heart that it’s impossible to change your mind on it!  Now the truth the Holy Spirt has revealed begins to radically influence the choices you make in life.  Our priorities begin to shift as our desires become aligned with His.

This leads us to the second quality Paul says we develop when we cultivate a radical love for God’s Word. We have a more comprehensive discernment to know what is right and then put it to work in our lives.  This means we can actually reach the point where we are able to sense and recognise from our spirits, what is vital and of great importance at any particular point in time; and can distinguish what is the morally right thing to do in the situation concerned.  When we do, Paul says we will approve of and prize what is excellent and of real value, and then make it part of our lives. That basically means we will see the more excellent way, know the right thing to do, and be more than willing to do it! Hallelujah!!! Now that’s a recipe for success!

Let’s put this into perspective with walking in our God-given authority.  When you love the Word, you trust it.  You trust what it says, and believe you are what it says you are, and that you can be and do all that God has purposed for you to be and do.  What’s more, when it says that God’s will is the more excellent way for you, you see and recognise it in every situation, agree with it and choose to walk in it. In truth, you have delighted yourself in Him and now His will and desires have become yours.  Take a look at what Psalms 37:4-5 says, “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.”

So when He says His will is for you and me to reign in life with Him, and exercise our authority over the devil, and use our words of faith to change our circumstances, that’s exactly what we will do!  When He says to give, so that it will further His kingdom purpose and connect us with His supernatural provision, and to tithe because it’s His covenant plan for us, then that’s what we do!  When He says to live pure and free from gossip and strife, so that we aren’t held back or tripped up with unnecessary weight, then that’s what we do!  It’s that simple.  And when we do, Paul says we will be blameless and with a sincere heart, approach the coming of Jesus with confidence, because we have not stumbled into unbelief, but have stayed vitally on course and influenced others to do so too!  And in case you haven’t noticed, we are living in the very hour where the church of Christ is being stirred up like never before to expect His sudden return.  So don’t be caught falling asleep concerning your personal walk with God.  Become more diligent and enthusiastic than ever to choose the more excellent way every day. 

If you are ready to follow Paul’s advice to live on purpose for God, by falling in love with His Word to develop the skill to discern and make choices that connect you to the more excellent way of life He has for you, then pray this prayer from your heart with me now.

“Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for me so that through my decision to give you my life, You wash me clean of all sin and past failures.  Jesus, I surrender my life to You, and by faith, receive you as my personal Lord and Saviour.  Thank you for your precious Holy Spirit Who I invite right now to fill my life. Thank you Holy Spirit that Your power is alive in me, and will stir up an insatiable hunger and desire for Your truth.  Father, I commit to diligently give my heart to Your Word.  I trust You to teach and guide me by Your Spirit in all its truth and wisdom, as You have promised to do.  Thank You that each day, as I pay careful attention to You, You will cause me to walk the more excellent way. I thank You now for a spirit of wisdom and revelation to know You more through Your Word, having the eyes of my heart flooded with light to know and understand the full hope I have in You.  By faith, I believe I will walk in a greater depth of revelation and power to recognise, know and do Your perfect will for my life each day.  By Your grace, through faith, I choose Your excellent way of living, until You come to fetch me.  In Jesus Name, Amen.” 

Now don’t wait a moment longer, meditate on the scriptures we’ve talked about and give your heart to delight in the Word of God.  You will see the benefits change and  overtake you.

Much love,

Jenny