Blessed are people of integrity who walk in the way of God’s revealed will.
I don’t know about you, but I struggle with the knowledge that I am often a poor Christian. It’s not that I don’t know what I should do; it is that I have trouble actually doing it, successfully, consistently, minute to minute, hour after hour, day after day. If you feel that way, we are not alone, Peter, James, John, Paul and many other biblical persons had similar problems (Matthew 26:36-46; Romans 7:14-25).
We all want to do our best and be on the winning team. So, what does it mean to be successful in the Christian context?
Just about every worldly measure of success is tied to material, social or physical gain of some kind. On how much money you make, the kind of house you live in, the car you drive, the power or significance of your job, the winning of state and national contests, and the list goes on. But it doesn’t stop there. Because of this unending focus on winning at any cost we convey these same ideals to our children in the sports they play, in the recreational activities they compete in, and even in the musical and academic contests they enter.
We are a win at any cost society. We are more focused on the success of the endeavor than on the significance of our character when doing it. Doing great things based on secular values is what we prioritize. We reward the star athlete or movie diva, singing star or politician, regardless of their failings in character.
What has happened to the Godly values of Wisdom, Humility, Perseverance, Thankfulness, Faithfulness, Obedience, Generosity, Kindness, Courage, Gentleness, and Love? We give lip service to these ideals but do we apply them in our lives? Do we hold ourselves and others accountable to these ideals? Are we truly on the road to sanctification? (Becoming like Christ)
So what does this have to do with being a successful Christian? Well, let’s take a look at what the bible says about:
Wisdom: Proverbs 2:6; James 1:5; Col 2:2-23; Proverbs 18:4; Proverbs 29; Proverbs 4:7
Humility: Micah 6:8; Psalm 25:9; 1 Peter 5:5,6; Luke 18:14; Jeremiah 9:23,24
Perseverance: 2 Thessalonians 3:13; Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 10:36; James 1:2-4
Thankfulness: Psalm 136:1; Isaiah 63:7; Ephesians 5:20; Psalm 68:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Faithfulness: 1 Peter 4:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Luke 16:10; Proverbs 28:20
Obedience: 1 Samuel 15:22; Romans 6:16; Colossians 3:20,22; Hebrews 13:17
Generosity: Matthew 6:3; II Corinthians 9:6,7; 1 John 3:17; Luke 3:11; Matthew 25:40
Kindness: Colossians 3:12; Philippians 2:4; Romans 12:15; Matthew 25:40; Ephesians 4:32
Courage: Psalm 27:1; Psalm 31:24; Proverbs 29:25; 1 Chronicles 28:20; Philippians 4:13
Honesty: Ephesians 4:25; Psalm 15:1-3; Exodus 20:16; Proverbs 6:12; Proverbs 6:19
Love: John 13:34,35; John 15:13; Ephesians 5:1,2; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 3:18; John 3:16
The bible is filled with acts of character, of people doing the right thing even when they are persecuted, reviled, hated or even killed. Even when no one else (but God) would ever know of what they did, they did the right thing, the Godly thing. These ideals are key to true Christian faith. As James said, “Faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:14) If we are to be successful Christians, we must have Faith and Deeds to be on the winning team. What do we mean when we say “I believe in Jesus Christ”? Even Satan believes in Jesus, in fact he and his demons know Christ well. Are we weak and simple believers or are we convicted by our faith? Is our faith the kind that is steadfast and faithful, that prompts us to deeds of character and to value God’s Word? Or is it the kind that disappears when tempted by worldly success or secular priorities. Who are we? What do we value?
We have a great responsibility. People young and old watch what we do. Rightly or wrongly, people measure Christ and all Christians by what they see in you. It isn’t what we say that persuades people, it is the example that we live that influences those around us. God grant that we may redouble our efforts to be Successful in Christ, to be a faithful light to the world.
In Faith, Hope, and Love,
The Church Mouse
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