Student Message on 10/1/06 Stefani Natalia - Striving for Excellence Once I questioned myself, “What is the noticeable difference between a Christian and a non-Christian?” I am not talking about salvation and eternal life. I am talking about the difference that can be seen on earth. When I was in college, I wondered whether I was a better student than the others who were non-Christians. Honestly, some of them were smarter or more skillful than I was. At work environment, I find so many people who are more successful than I am. I thought as a Christian, we should have been the best. I wondered how we are going to witness to them if we do not perform significantly better than them. My boss and my former boss are non-Christians and they are successful in their business. They are very kind and very helpful. They are always positive and thankful about life. I should say that there attitude looks like true Christians’ attitude. My former boss once faced a very difficult situation. His wife had a massive stroke and had to go through an intensive treatment in the hospital for a while. After that, even now, his wife still has some health issues and has to get a treatment because of the effect of the stroke. However, I have never heard them complaining about it. It seems that they know that God is in control of their life. My present boss is almost the same. He is always happy and excited at work. I notice when some things does not happen as he expects, he is still happy and nice. He is very patient, helpful, and generous. He has just had a tragic car accident about three weeks ago which could have taken his life. His car was totally wrecked and he was injured so he had to rest. When I called him from Indonesia, he sounded very positive and was still happy. He was very thankful that he is still alive. Until today, when we talk about something related to his accident, he makes jokes about it. It seems that he knows that God holds His future so He is not worried about it. These two guys do not know The Lord. They have heard about Jesus and the Bible, but they are not saved. As a Christian, I am much challenged. I honestly say that they are better than I am. I asked myself “how am I going to ‘sell’ Christianity to this kind of non-Christians?” I realized that I have to be excellent so I can ‘get their attention’. John 15:1-2 John 15:8 We have to bear fruit. What fruit? The fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22-23) We have to bear much fruit and excellent fruit. So, we have to produce much with excellent quality. Is that possible? Philippians 4:23 says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Fine, it is possible. How do you make it happen though? I found four things that will help to make it happen. 1. Col. 3:23-24 Do everything as unto the Lord. Our top-level boss is the Lord. Our earthly boss might not be nice but let’s do it as we do it unto the Lord as a sacrifice of praise. Col. 3:22 Col. 4:1 Whether or not someone sees or notice what we do, be excellent anyway! 2. Mat. 5:39-42 Do more than what is required. Go the extra mile. I thought about this and I thought that this is too good to be true. I thought no one will be able to do this because nobody is perfect. However, the Scripture says that we have to be perfect because God is perfect. Mat. 5:48 2 Cor. 3:18 No one is perfect but we are working on it, pressing on, and going from glory to glory. 3. Phi. 2:14-15 Do all things without complaining. Do it unto the Lord as a sacrifice of praise. 4. Psa. 18:20-24 Do for the heavenly reward. I do not get paid as much as I should have been. I am not treated the way I should have been treated. They do not respect me. They violate my right. Pro. 24:29 Pro. 20:22 God knows. He sees it and you know what? He is going to reward you for what you have done. Phi. 3:14 It is not easy. That’s why we press on. The reward is waiting for us. John 15:1-2 John 15:8 Why should we be excellent? 1. To honor and glorify the Vinedresser, which is the Lord. 2. To show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Christ.