“Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established.” Proverbs 16:3
The fundamental question is does Christ really care about your ability to be successful?
Christ was successful in fulfilling His role and was rewarded by God with power and dominion over all things in heaven and earth.
You and I are mere mortals so how can we utilize the values of Christ to be successful in the world? Or, should the concept of worldly success be forgotten in the pursuit of Christ? Is life just about dying to self and sacrificial living for Christ?
The scriptures speak about God’s desire to give you an abundant life and bless the desires of your heart. Is this a reality or just a “feel good” promise?
Why should a disciple of Christ experience a life of pain and misery when those around you are living in luxury. Isn’t something wrong with this picture?
The religious response to these questions is to seek God first and then all the other things of life will be added to you. This seems a little over simplified in the big scheme of things.
What if you do this and nothing changes. Where is the relevance of Christ?
These questions cannot be brushed aside in the pursuit of Christ. As a believer, you and I need to understand the reality of God concerning success.
The point of view of God is much deeper than just seeking God with the understanding He will bless you. You cannot compare spiritual success to worldly success. The ends are not mutually related to each other. Jesus never experienced worldly success.
Jesus Christ died for all so you and I can have the gift of salvation. This gift is a promise of eternal life, redemption by God, forgiveness of sins, and receiving the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Your success as a new creature in Christ Jesus is determined by God and will happen in His perfect timing.
The journey of a disciple is to walk in the footsteps of Christ. At times this will create pain and suffering as you lose your life and gain the life of Christ.
God has created a hand crafted journey for you with a calling to fulfill a specific role in the kingdom of God. Your spiritual success will come in performing the work Christ has assigned to you.
Your worldly success is measured out by God in accord with His purposes for your life. There will be seasons of both blessings and hardships.
Without faith it is impossible to please God!
God rewards those who diligently seek Him out and He desires to give you more than you ask or think.
God wants you to be successful in whatever your calling is at this time—work, education, raising a family, or a ministry. This success will come when you commit your works each day to God and walk by faith.
The real significance of success is living grounded in Christ where ever life takes you!
For in Him we live and move and have our being.
Hal Hollister Ministry 