Doing It to the Best of Our Ability

Whatever we do, do it to the best of our ability. This should be the attitude of all Christians. In the early sixties there was a popular hit called “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better”. The main aim of the song is to inspire one to excel over others. In The Great Learning of the Four Books of classical Chinese studies, the book teaches on “halt only at perfection” speaks well of this subject.

If you are a child, obey your parents in the Lord. Carry out your duty as children ought to; show your filial-piety to your parents for their love and care they have given to you. For “This is the first commandment with a promise that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth” (Eph 6:1-3). Live amicably with your brethren both in good times and in adversity so that your parents may be comforted (Ps 133:1-3; Prov 17:17).

If you are a parent, show your love and care for your children. Do not provoke your children to anger rather, bring them up according to the instruction of the Lord (Heb 12:9-10; Eph 6:4). But disciplined them while they are young, so that when they are old they will not depart from the truth (Prov 22:6).

If you are a wife, submit to your husband as if you would do to the Lord. “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church ... As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands” (Eph 5:22-24).

If you are a husband, love your wife as you would love your own body. How Christ has given Himself up for the church, husbands should also sacrifice themselves for their wives (Eph 5:25, 28).

If you are a shepherd, discharge your duties faithfully. “Tend the flock of God not by restraint but willingly ... not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock” (1 Pet 5:1-3). If circumstance necessitated, you may even have to sacrifice your life for your flock in order to accomplish your responsibilities (Jn 10:11; Acts 20:22-24). Work together with your fellow-workers be united as one in the Lord and to propagate the gospel of Christ (Phil 1:5, 27).

If you are a believer, respect your shepherds and submit to their leadership (1 Tim 5:17; Jn 10:27). Provide them with material needs so that they will not have anxiety over their livelihood but will devote themselves to prayer and do the ministry of the word (1 Cor 9:7-14; 2 Tim 2:4; Acts 6:4). Toward your fellow-believers you should put the new commandment of the Lord into practice. Love one another even as the Lord has loved you (Jn 13:34-35; 1 Cor 12:25-27).

Finally, if we all can do the above to the best of our ability and if we would rely on the Holy Spirit then our homes will be the most blessed Christian homes; our church will be the kingdom of God--in short, a paradise on the earth.