Sometimes I try to find exceptions to nothing. Well, I don’t know that I try so much as that I just live as though God made exceptions to nothing.

For instance, this one:

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3).

How often do I indulge in strife, conflict, pickiness, or grumpiness? Sometimes it is so easy to do something just because I know it will bother somebody.

Nothing, Mark!

And how often do I pursue my own glory? Oh, how easy it can be to do and say things that will result in the praise of men! Even something silly — positioning my notebook computer in such a way that people can easily see it’s a genuine IBM ThinkPad.

Nothing!

The solution?

Lowlineness. Humility. Brokenness. The mind of Christ.

I was in the market for a certain item. Finally the time came to choose between two good brands. I had to evaluate and test because I wanted the best for my particular needs and use.

In a spiritual sense, each day I encounter the need to test things — attitudes, thoughts, words, actions, values, purposes, plans, pleasure, work, and on and on.

I mean, I do analyze and test such things, don’t I?

If I don’t, how will I choose good over evil? And how I will choose that which is excellent?

Choose that which is excellent? Oh yes. Sometimes I know I accept something only because “there’s nothing wrong with it” . . . but it really doesn’t fall in the EXCELLENT category.

“That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:10).

What else should I be testing in addition to what I already listed?

May I do better at living in pursuit of those things which are excellent.