How do YOU Define Success?
Secular vs Christian Worldviews
Thus far in this series we examined the progression of failure, the procession to success, and how asking God the right questions contributes to our success as Christians. Today we wrap up this series by making this very personal: How do you define success? If I made a fill in the blank, it would read something like this:
Success is _______________________________________________________________________.
I will be successful if I ___________________________________________________________.
Success as the world defines it is easy to identify. Wealth or money. Possessions. Power. Position. Status. Popularity. Some take a more altruistic view and define it as making/leaving the world a better place (defined in their terms).
Nothing is inherently wrong with those things unless they become gods. That happens when people seek them as ends in themselves. Self-esteem/worth come through their accomplishment. satan (the demonic realm) love this approach to human life. They are in the middle of (mis)guiding people into these places with deception and lies.
As Christians, we (should) have a biblical worldview. That serves as the framework for how we define success. Every person is uniquely created by God. The most obvious physical example is our fingerprints. We also possess unique DNA that speaks to God’s awesome wonder and omniscience in His creation of mankind, numbering billions since He began the process.
What does that mean and how is it related to our success? Let’s begin with a great example thru the prophet Jeremiah. God spoke these words to him, revealing His plans for Jeremiah’s life.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5
God had a plan and purpose that defined success for Jeremiah before he was even conceived. Most Christians fail to understand the same is true of you! Success for Jeremiah was found in his obedience to God’s call, His plan, and being faithful to execute it. If you read the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations, you find how hard this became. We studied last week the same was true in the life of the Apostle Paul.
We find a pattern here that is the starting point in the lives of God’s people. Surrender.
From Abraham to Moses to the prophets to John the Baptist to Jesus Himself and then all the Apostles, one common thread is they surrendered to God’s call and His plan for their lives. Consider how Jesus and the Apostle Paul defined success.
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. John 6:38
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
If Jesus and the Apostles defined success as such, not outside walking in the world but in the will of God, the same must be true of us.
God’s instructions for success
Note: God put conditions on all instructions He gave to them (and us).
(Given to Joshua as he was taking over for Moses.) “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” Joshua 1:8
(Given to Jeremiah to encourage the captive Israelites) “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. “Jeremiah 29:11-13
Living in the Shallows instead of the Deeps
My dear brothers and sisters, too many Christians are wading through their lives in the shallow places of this world. That is not what God intended. God occupies the deep places of eternity. Yet He came to us through Jesus Christ, inviting us out of these shallows into deep fellowship with God our Father. The Apostle Paul understood this and articulated it well for us.
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” Romans 11:33
“…the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we (Christians) have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,” 1 Corinthians 2:10-12
God reveals Himself and His plans for our lives through His Holy Spirit. As we just read, He does so freely and for our success. My closing encouragement to you today is this: Surrender your life to Him and “GO DEEP”! There you will find the success as He defines it that awaits.
Invitation
If this invitation finds you apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ, I say this with certainty. You are exactly where satan wants you; the most dangerous place anyone can be. I have Good News! Jesus suffered the most heinous death by crucifixion to pay the penalty for our sins. He said we are all sinners in need of a Savior. He also said He is the only way – the door to salvation. (Matthew 4:17; 9:13; John 14:6)
To those who receive Jesus, He gives eternal life in Heaven. Those who reject Him will spend eternity suffering in Hell, wishing they had not refused His love, mercy and grace. I plead with you not to close this message without confronting yourself in light of the truths I presented. I may be the last evangelist or Bible teacher the Lord puts before you to beg you to surrender to Jesus. Will you humble yourself and receive Him today? I am praying you do!
For Christ’s sake.
