By Rick Sibert                                                                                                                                          August 2007  

Success God’s Way, Part I                                                     

I’ve been an ambitious person for as long as I can remember.  I’ve always wanted to leave my “mark” on this world.  I’ve always wanted to be successful. 

And I’m not that different than most.  I believe most people desire to be “successful.”

I read an article recently – penned by a well-known pastor no less – in which he lays out the formula for living a successful life.  His premise?  We can only find success by…. following the ten commandments!

Really, that’s what he wrote.

I was shocked.

Is that the key to success?  A list of do’s and don’ts?  Is that what the Bible tells us?  Is that what we’re to tell our unbelieving friends?  Are we to labor to try and follow a list?  A list in which the Bible itself tells us is mainly there to show us how we are unable (read fallible) to follow its mandates, and thus pointing us toward our need for a Savior to redeem us? (Jesus said if we have broken one of the commandments we have broken all of them – and I have news for you, we have all broken at least one of them! – Ro. 3:23)

Are we bound by the law as New Testament, spirit filled, born again Christians?  Or are we bound by love?

Unfortunately, that dissection will have to wait until another day.  But, I do believe the Bible - as it does for any situation in life – does tell us what the key to success is:  The way to live a life filled with success is to walk in the Spirit.

Paul’s words of cause and effect in his letter to the churches in Galatia are some of the most striking in the whole of the New Testament.  He begins….

             So I say, walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  For the

 flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are

 contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.  But if

 you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Gal 5:16-18)

We war against many things in this life as Christians – the world system, the devil and his minions, but our primary struggle is with our own flesh.  We do what we don’t want to do, and that which we want to do we don’t do!  (Ro. 15)  Ah, the paradoxical life of a believer!  This pushing and pulling with our fleshly carnal nature causes stress and fear and uncertainty – which keeps us from living successful lives!

But we are told by Paul that if we “walk in the Spirit” not only will we do those things that are right and good – we will ultimately walk in God’s will for our life, which produces wisdom and fruit and faith, and ultimately success.

Depending on your level of relationship with God, any or all of five questions might come to mind as you read this.  First, what does God define as success?  Second, who is this Spirit?  Third, what does it mean to “walk” in the Spirit?  Fourth, how do I then walk in the Spirit?  Lastly, if I am walking in the Spirit, what will my life look like?  Let’s briefly take a look at each.

True Success  If you listen to the world, you might think success is one or all of several different things: Fame.  Money.  Education.  A nice home (or two).  A new car (or three).  A great job.  A great looking wife.  All of those things are nice, and within God’s will for your life and in balance are not contrary to Scripture.  But is this what God defines as true success for a believer? Far from it. 

There are numerous passages in the Bible which tell of God’s idea of success, from character studies, like Joseph and Daniel, to direct passages such as the two that follow.  First, Paul, again writing to the believers in Rome:

             Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not

 food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

 (Ro 14: 16,17)

Paul is saying that the kingdom of God – which as believers we are all citizens of  - is not defined by our own wants and desires (external things), but rather defined spiritually by who we are in Him (internally).  Therefore, if we are walking in the spirit, there will naturally be characteristics of  “success” that are evident:

1.  Righteousness comes as we live lives holy and separated for Jesus and we begin to reflect His righteousness.

2.  Peace comes as we make peace with our Creator - we have a certainty about our relationship with Him - and we then seek to live in that peace with all men (Philippians tells us that this peace – which passes all understanding – will guard our hearts and minds).

3.  Joy comes to us as we get close to our Savior and we finally realize we don’t need anything else.  We realize that the trappings of this world will never satisfy and bring our soul rest, and we realize that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Ro. 8).

The other passage that comes to mind is from the Old Testament prophet Micah:

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you

but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before your God? (Micah 6:8)

Again, God is telling us what a God-ordained successful life looks like.  He doesn’t leave us guessing!

I enjoy the paraphrased translation in Eugene Peterson’s The Message:  “But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don't take yourself too seriously - take God seriously.”

Next Issue:  Success God’s Way, Part II

Editor’s Note:  Eternal Perspective is a monthly feature of Calvary Chapel Columbus and the commentary of Pastor Rick Sibert, focusing on living a Godly life in the midst of an ungodly world.