The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1957-09-19
5 e r m 0 n ellie
Some Truths That
Are Excellent


Last week we considered Phi
lippians lilo, particularly the
phrase approve things that are
excellent" We learned that the
word excellent refers to that
which surpasses or is of more
value.
Though the exhortation is con-
eerned primarily with the spirit
ual, the result of our decisions
affects our moral conduct-our
dealings and relationships with
our fellowmen. Thus this is very
practical.
AS we go through the New
Testament, we see several refer
ences to that which God the Holy
Spirit considers excellent. Our
first reference is found in He
brews ia, BY faith Abel of
fered unto God a more excellent
sacrifice than Cain" Cain offered
to God something that was con-
trary to Gods will; he offered
that which spoke of his own
works. 1t inferred pride on the
part of Cain. Abel was humble
and obedient. He Worshipped
God in spirit and in truth. The
Psalmist David psalm 5l:16, III
learned through a bitter expert
ence that God desires not sac
rifice" of material things if the
heart is not right. "The sacrifices
OF God are broken spirit: a
broken and a contrite heart, o
God, thou wilt not despise"
Next we turn to Hebrews Ia
and read that Jesus "being made
SO much better than the angels,
as he hath by inheritance obtain
ed more excellent name than
they" This verse speaks of the
excellent name of Jesus. He has
a name which surpasses all other
names. His name Surpasses in
meaning and value all the names
OF created beings. The titles or
names given to Jesus describe
His charter and attributes. When
one studies the person and works
of Jesus Christ, he cannot help
but exclaim: God also hath
highly exalted Him, and given
Him a name which is above
every name: that at the name
Of Jesus every knee should bow,
of things in heaven, and things
in earth, and things under the
earth" philippians 30, 10). The
Christian considers the name of
Jesus of great value and has
much meaning to him, because
he knows by experience that
neither is there salvation in any
other: for there is none other
name under heaven given among
men, whereby we must be saved
(Acts 4:12). The Christian also
considers Jesus excellent because
He had more excellent minis
try than did the Old Testament
saints (Hebrews 8:6). The Old
Testament priests ministered
with types and symbols of things
to come. Jesus was the fulfill
ment of those types and symbols.
Jesus brought reality.
Finally in 7 Corinthians 1871
we read these words: ''But covet
earnestly the best gifts: and yet
sheW | unto you a more excellent
way" Paul had found it neces-
sary to rebuke the Corinthian
Christians for their selfish at
titudes and their abuse of spirit
ual gifts and privileges that God
had given to them. They were
puffed up with their knowledge,
their good works, their ability
to speak in tongues, their ability
to heal, etc. The gifts were good
Their benevolence was good. But
only when performed in love.
Therefore Paul was directed by
the Holy Spirit to write that
love is more excellent than any
other gift that we may desire
1t surpasses in intensity and
measure any other gift that we
might have. He describes the
impOrtance and yalue of love in