Excellence

“For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.” Romans 16:19

As followers of Christ we are to be wise concerning that which is good and to “…abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). In other words we are to be innocent of evil and we are to abstain from even the very appearance of it. Through obedience to God’s word and the Holy Spirit within we have all the guidance needed to walk in the steps He ordains for us to walk in today. By listening to His voice and following the instructions in His word we will have clear direction concerning everything evil so that we will be able to avoid it and be innocent of it. Aren’t you glad His word is such that we can know without a doubt what is wise, good and pleasing in His sight?

This verse gives us three very important principles; obedience to His Word, knowing and practicing (some translations say being excellent at) what is good, and being innocent of (avoiding completely) that which is evil. Living by those principles produces excellence and brings glory to His name.