Often times in our lives we hear a lot about success. Usually when we think about success it is from a financial point of view, or from “climbing the ladder” in the workplace. We think “rich” people are successful. An old bumper sticker reads, “The one with the most toys wins.” This is the way the world thinks.
The dictionary definition of success is, “The accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” When we look at or discuss success from an educational point of view everyone’s opinion seems to be different. Sometimes it is college entrance exams, or standardized testing scores. Other times it is how many students go off to college. While these and other goals are good and may help to determine success, they fall gravely short of God’s definition of success.
As Christians we must make sure that our aim and purpose is biblical. God defined success for us in Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
God’s Word shows us that biblical success, success that glorifies God, is only accomplished when we know, think about, and observe God’s Word. Now, think back to how you originally defined success. Does your original thought and God’s Word agree? If not, we must humble ourselves and change our view to match God’s.
I would like to give you three ways in which we must be successful:
1. Success with the Savior.
All of the worldly success and things will fade away when this life is over. Your job will ultimately cease. Money fades away and comes to naught. However, there is one thing that will never fade away. God’s Word declares that to be absent from the body is to present with the Lord. It also declares that it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. The only success that will matter is with the Savior. A poem reads, Only one life will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last. Are you successful with the Savior? Is Christ pleased and glorified in your life?
2. Wealthy in the Word.
As we already mentioned the biblical definition of success centers around God’s Word. God gave us His complete revealed Word. We need no other information from God. He gave us everything we need. So many people are searching for success in wealth and riches, yet God said labor not for money. We must strive to understand the Word of God and be wealthy in its knowledge. Wise people are people of the Word. God’s Word tells us to walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. In other words, be spiritual in the way we live. Someone once said, “Spiritual people are Scriptural people.” May we be wealthy when it comes to the Word of God.
3. Rich in Righteousness.
An article was placed in the September 2014 newsletter titled, “Does It Pay to Do Right Anymore?” The biblical answer is yes. We must be rich when it comes to doing what is right. And may I also say, the definition of what is right must be found in God’s Word. God is truth. God is righteous. Only when our standard and life line up with God’s standard of righteousness will we truly be righteous.
God’s Word tells us that all of our righteousness is as a filthy rag. What we think is righteous is not always the case. That is why we must look to God for His standard of righteousness. He doesn’t compare us with each other, He compares us to the truth and standard of His holy Word. May we strive to be rich in righteousness.
God declared that He has no greater joy than to hear that His children walk in truth. This truth is God’s Word and found in the person of Jesus Christ. As we live our lives, day in and day out, may we strive to be successful with the Savior, wealthy in the Word, and rich in righteousness.