When King David was about to die, he gave his son, Solomon
the following advice: “Do what the lord your God commands and follow his
teachings. Obey everything written in the Law of Moses. Then you will be a
success, No matter what you do or where you go” 1 king 2:3 CEV) Notice that
David didn’t tell his son together wealth from other lands, or to defect his
enemies in battle. Instead his formula for success was to follow God and obey him.
When Solomon became king, he didn’t ask the lord for wealth and power, but for widow
and discernment in order to lead God’s people. God was pleased by this request
and granted it, giving Solomon a wise and understanding heart, more than any
man had ever had before .the also gave Solomon the things he didn’t as for
–Riches and honor among men 1 KING 3:1-14. Solomon took his father’s advice to heart
at least for most of his reign and reflected on it in his writing in proverbs:”
My son do not forget my teaching but let your heart keep my commandments for
length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you let not
steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you bind then around your neck; write
them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in
the sight if God and Man” Proverbs 3:1-4 ESV)
Jesus reiterated this teaching in the New Testament when the
declared which is the greatest commandment;” love the lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and strength. The second is this;” Love your
neighbor as yourself. “There is no commandment greater than these”(MARK
12:30-31) Loving God means obeying him and keeping his commandment ( John
14:15,23-24). The first step in this process is accepting the free gift of
eternal life offered by Jesus Christ (John 3:16) this is the beginning of true
biblical success. When the gift is received transformation begins. The process
is accomplished not by human will, but by God’s Holy Spirit John 1:12-13) How
does this happen and what is the result? It happens first through trusting the
lord and obeying him. As we obey him he transforms us, giving us a completely
new nature 1 Corinthians 5:17 as we go through trouble and hard times, which
the bible calls “Trials” we are able to endure with great peace and direction
and we begin to understand that God uses those very trials to strengthen our
inner person. John16:33; James 1:2. In other words trouble in life does not
cause us to fail but to walk through trouble with God’s grace and wisdom by
obeying God we gain freedom from the curses of this world – hate, jealousy,
addictions confusion, inferiority complex, sadness without reason anger, bitterness,
forgiveness selfishness and more.
In addition, followers of Christ, Christians possess and
display the fruit of the spirit of God who resides in their hearts : LOVE,
JOY,PEACE, PATIENCE,GOODNESS,KINDNESS, GENTLENESS, FAITHFULNESS AND self-control
(Galatians 5:22-23) we have at our disposal knowledge to know what to do and
where to turn PROVERB 3:5-6 unhindered
amounts of wisdom JAMES 1:5 and the peace that passes understanding PHILIPPIANS
4:7 as we grow and mature in Christ we
begin to think not only of ourselves but of others. Our greatest joy becomes
what we can do for other and give to others and how we can help them grow and
proper spiritually .Those who have risen to these height of achievement
understand true success, because a person can have all the power, money,
popularity and prestige the world has to offer but if his soul is empty and
bitter worldly success is really failure. What good will it be for a man if he
gains the whole world, yet forfeit his soul or what can a man give in exchange
for his soul MATHEW 16:26
One last word on biblical success .while transformation of
our inner loves is God’s goal for us the also abundantly provides good physical
gifts to this children (food, clothing, house etc.) and the loves to do it
MATHEW 6:25-33.
Yet, most of us at
one time or another focus on the gifts rather than on the giver .That’s when we
regress in our contentment and joy and quench the spirit’s transforming work
with in us, because we are focusing on the wrong things. That may be why the
lord sometimes limits his gift –giving to us, so we do not stumble over the
gifts and fall away from him. Picture two hands,in the right hand there are the
offer of true contentment, the ability to handle life problems without being
overcome by them, amazing peace that see us through all circumstances, wisdom
to know what to do knowledge and constant direction for life love for others
acceptance of ourselves joy no matter
what and at the end of life, an eternity
with the God who freely gives all these gifts, The other hand holds all the money
and power and success the world has to offer , without any of what the right
hand holds. Which would you choose? The bible says,” where your treasure is,
there is also your heart “ MATHEW 6:21, that which is in the right hand is the
Biblical definition of success.
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