In your wallet or purse, you may have a credit or debit card with an integrated circuit chip embedded in its face. This smart card is like a mini-computer, storing thousands of bytes of data.

Credit and debit card companies are migrating to this technology instead of older magnetic strip cards. This upgrade is due to the growing problem of credit card fraud and identity theft. Smart cards have been used in Europe for many years and provide better data security.

Smart microchip technology is also used in smartphones in the form of SIM cards—Subscriber Identity Module. SIM cards store a user’s data and make it possible for the phone to connect to the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM).

The smart card was invented in Paris by Roland Moreno in 1975. Although Moreno was little known internationally, he was considered a national hero in France. In 2009 he was awarded the Legion of Honor, France’s highest order of merit. Just how significant was Moreno’s innovation? Following his death in April 2012, The Guardian wrote in an obituary that the smart card had “touched almost everyone on the planet.”

In an infinitely greater way, God has developed and is offering an unparalleled spiritual advancement that will impact everyone on the planet.

An exceptionally better approach

Just like Moreno was unsatisfied with the state of cyber security and invented the smart card, God is not pleased with how human beings live their lives. He offers an exceptionally better method. The apostle Paul wrote, “I will show you a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31). It is “more excellent” because it is God’s own “perfect way” to live (2 Samuel 22:31). It is all about obeying the “royal law” of love toward God and neighbor, as compared to self-centered behavior (Matthew 22:37-40).

Although God has not made His splendid way of life known to all people yet, He is inviting some individuals in this age to practice it (1 Corinthians 1:26; 1 Peter 2:9-10). They are to grow in spiritual character and zealously support the mission of proclaiming the good news about Jesus Christ and the coming Kingdom of God as a witness to the world (Matthew 24:14).

Indeed, God may be calling you right now to become a vital part of His spiritual family on earth, which scripture describes as “the church of the living God” (1 Timothy 3:15). If so, Paul tells you to “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

But pursuing this “perfect” way of true Christian love in a society that is fundamentally in rebellion against God can be demanding. Stephen was killed for his poignant address to the council and high priest of his time (Acts 7:51-52). Jesus Christ—who was utterly without sin—was despised, persecuted and killed (1 John 3:5, Isaiah 53:3-9). Not only did people who “loved darkness rather than light” have contempt for Him as a troublemaking eccentric, they also loathed His disciples (John 3:19, Matthew 10:22).

A way that is beyond comparison

Jesus’ approach to living was entirely different from self-centered, humanly-conceived philosophies and ideas. He didn’t conform to man’s culture, traditions and methods (Mark 7:5-8). He “walked to the beat of a different drummer” and “defied conventional wisdom.” In all His teachings, and by His personal example of love for God and neighbor, He illustrated “a far better way” (1 Corinthians 12:31, The Message).

God may be calling you right now to become a vital part of His spiritual family on earth.

Jesus taught His Father’s righteous and abundant way of life (John 10:10) in the face of the selfish, duplicitous methods of a society influenced by dark, demonic forces. He made it plain to everyone who would listen that He personally represented a superior way forward when He said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). So, if you desire to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, you need to exert yourself, with God’s divine help, to live His “more excellent way.” And you must reject flawed, humanly-generated concepts and behaviors (Colossians 1:10).

How can you accomplish this vital, yet challenging responsibility? It is helpful to review biblical examples of God’s servants who gave themselves as instruments “to do what is right for the glory of God” (Romans 6:13, NLT). These men and women are models of God’s exceptional way of life. Let’s briefly review some lesser-known but highly notable New Testament personalities.

Examples of living a more excellent way

Barsabas. Following Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension in the clouds to heaven, the 11 apostles met to select a man out of the 120 disciples to fill the apostleship left by Judas Iscariot. They decided there were two qualifications a candidate had to have. He had to have been a devoted follower of Jesus and had to have been an eyewitness of Christ’s ascension to heaven. The candidates they selected were Barsabas and Matthias (Acts 1:20-26).

Although Barsabas was not chosen, just the fact that he had been a nominee for such an important responsibility is testimony to his longterm faithfulness as Jesus’ disciple. Barsabas was one who pursued God’s “more excellent way.” 

Gaius. The apostle John expressed the following about a highly dedicated and respected Christian disciple: “The Elder, to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth” (3 John 3-4).

Not only did Gaius faithfully serve local brethren, he was hospitable to guests (verse 5). He becomes an example of one who faithfully served in “giving glory of God” and following His “way of life which transcends all others” (1 Corinthians 12:31, Weymouth New Testament).

Lois and Eunice. After Paul was imprisoned at Rome in about 60 A.D., he wrote a second letter to his faithful companion Timothy. Paul applauded him for his knowledge of the scriptures and his extraordinary faith which was first demonstrated in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:4-5).

As devout Jewish individuals living in Lystra, which is now part of present-day Turkey, Lois and Eunice were converted to Christianity most likely following Paul’s first visit to that city. Certainly their sincere Jewish faith and broad knowledge of the Old Testament scriptures prepared them to respond to Paul’s words about Jesus Christ.

When Lois and Eunice were called by God into His Church they gladly chose to follow a much better way of life than what they had previously known. As a result of their training of Timothy, they have been noted in biblical history as outstanding women of faith who abided in “a way of more surpassing excellence” (1 Corinthians 12:31, Darby Bible Translation).

These faithful disciples responded with sustained vigor and obedience to God’s calling (Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 4:14). They grasped Christ’s manner of service and sacrifice and how He opposed humanity’s deficient, selfish attitudes and practices. Plus, they followed Jesus’ perfect example of demonstrating the loving fruit of the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:22-23).

Love personifies God’s manner of living

So, what can you do to pursue and manifest God’s “way of life that is best of all” (1 Corinthians 12:31, New Living Translation)? It can perhaps be chiefly expressed in this passage: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12, NIV).

Our inner selves must be clothed in godly love (Ephesians 5:2). Love is the adhesive that fastens all other God-ordained qualities together. It personifies God’s perfect way of life (1 Corinthians 13:13). We must all diligently pursue it while being extremely careful not to be corrupted by society’s ways (John 15:19; John 17:15).

From smart card to God’s way

When Roland Moreno invented the smart card, he offered a better way—a more effective technological approach to electronic financial transactions and cyber security. In an infinitely greater manner, the Eternal Creator offers you a way of life “that is beyond comparison” (1 Corinthians 12:31, Berean Study Bible).

Although He is now calling only a few people into His Church to grow in character and support the vibrant mission of preaching the gospel, He is preparing to ultimately change the lives of everyone on the planet. This will begin when Jesus Christ comes to earth a second time to set up the government of God and to rule and educate all people in His Father’s righteousness. At that time, everyone will have an opportunity to participate in God’s magnificent way of life. But for now, those who God is inviting to be part of His Church must emulate Jesus Christ’s example by living diligently in obedience to the royal law of love.

So, what are you doing personally right now in responding to God’s wonderful calling to pursue His “more excellent way?”