Success By The Spirit
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify
yourselves before men; but God knoweth your
hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among
men is abomination in the sight of God
(Luke 16:15).
A man isn’t a success because other people
say he is. A long list of academic, political, or
business achievements isn’t essentially the definition
of success. That a person is famous and celebrated
by men doesn’t mean he or she is a success before
God. A successful life, one that pleases God, is that
which achieves those things that God has called the
person to do.
Thus, the first thing is to know what God has
called you to do. There’re people that are praised in
this world and acclaimed to be successful, who will
eventually end up in hell. Some are already there. It
doesn’t matter what anyone says about you, the only
one who matters is the one who made you. He’s the
one who knew the purpose for which you were born.
So, don’t live your life to the applause of men. Jesus
said, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain
the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what
shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark
8:36-37). He also said, “…for that which is highly
esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of
God” (Luke 16:15).
What do you esteem in your life? What are the
things that are important to you? What drives you?
What are you passionate about? Until, and unless
those things are the same things that God considers
important, things of Kingdom and eternal value, they’re
useless. Don’t run in vain; don’t put your efforts in the
wrong things. Don’t seek to please men; do all things
with only one goal in mind: to please the Lord Jesus
and be a success for Him.
God wants us to be successful according to His
definition of success, not according to man’s standards.
He wants us to have a great life; He wants us to do
excellently well; He wants us to be productive in our
lives; producing results that glorify Him. And we can
only do this by the power of God’s Spirit. Without the
Holy Spirit, no matter what you do, it’ll be empty. True
success is by the Spirit and in fulfilling God’s call, plan
and purpose for your life.
Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit at work
in me, and manifested in all that I do, such that my works here on
earth are sanctified before you, and impactful to bring many
into your glorious salvation. I enjoy a life of unending victory,
success, prosperity, health, and righteousness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further Study
Romans 15:16; John 15:5; Luke 12:15
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Ezekiel 39-40
2 Peter 2
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
John 15:20-27
1 Chronicles 28