“I always do my best to have a clear conscience toward God and men” (Acts 24:16). Such was Paul’s assessment of his life to Felix, in defense of the Gospel by which he lived, for which he was charged by the Jews. The term translated “best” literally means to exert all one’s diligence, study and industry; to endeavor, to strive with all one’s energies. When Paul, then, said he did his best, that’s exactly what he meant; he offered his best to God in seeking to live as God wanted. This is evident in what he said to the Galatians; “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Paul did such because of the depth of love he had for the God who had offered him the best in everything. The course of Paul’s life, while he thought it was pleasing to God, was not. Christ’s death on the cross was for him as much as for anyone else. God’s grace was as available to Paul as much as for anyone else. The promise of eternal life in Christ was as available to Paul as much as it is for anyone else. Paul understood this great love God had for him, and from love for God, he gave himself to Him, in love, doing his best for Him. Not that Paul would ever reach perfection in the flesh, but he devoted himself completely to God, that God could fulfill His purpose in Paul, which was the salvation of his soul. “For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by God’s grace I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not ineffective. However, I worked more than any of them, yet not I, but God’s grace that was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:9-10).
Does God deserve anything less than the best from us today? Certainly we will not reach perfection in the flesh either, but in view of all God is, all that He has done, is doing and will do for us, does He not deserve our best? If we understand the price of our salvation in Christ, should not our love for God and His Son prompt us to offer ourselves to seek God, to be what He desires of us, that He might bless us now and eternally? “Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). To pursue means to follow or press hard after. Should we do less?
Jesus said, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter and won’t be able” (Luke 13:24). To “make every effort” conveys the idea of straining every nerve to the uttermost towards the goal, or to do one’s best. How well do we do? Is what we offer Christ in daily Christian living our best? When one is inconsistent in worship, but not in other pursuits, is that one’s best? When one gives miserly to God, but generously to oneself, is that one’s best? If one has plenty of time for television, but no time for Scripture, is that one’s best? If physical desires always come before spiritual activities, is that one’s best? We must define our lives by God’s will for us, not by the world around us.
God told the people of Judah, “Cursed be the one who does the LORD’S work negligently” (Jeremiah 48:10). The Hebrew term for “negligence” means a lack of diligence or attention, lazy, inadequate action or work. God offers His best for us every second we live. Why not resolve now to do better in living for Him, doing one’s best for Him and in love for Him? “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17).
