Success

Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?

Lately, I have been challenged with the question of what is true success? Our society says success is having a good job and earning lots of money, getting good grades in school, being popular, having nice cars, and homes as well as other possessions. In the arena of the church, high attendance numbers, people walking the aisle each Sunday, programs with lots of people busy keeping them going and a high profile in the community seems to be the measure of success.

What does God see as success? Success is doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly with God.

Galatians 5:22-26 tells us , "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (NKJV)

Success in the church doesn't necessarily mean large attendance. A successful church is one that keeps God's word and does not deny His name. It is one that perseveres in the truth and does not compromise the truth.

Revelation 3:7-8,10 ¶ "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens":

8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name... "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

The worldly idea of success is nothing like God's idea of success. God's economy is different. If we are being faithful to God, walking humbly with Him, allowing the fruit of the Spirit to develop in our lives, then we are successful in His sight.

Do you feel like you haven't done enough for God? Are you faithful to Him? Do you walk humbly with God? Do you do justice and love mercy? You are successful in His sight!

Dear Father, These thoughts have been challenging to me. There are areas that I am weak in and I need Your help to please You. Give me grace in these areas. Amen.