What true success really is

Stratford church of Christ When we consider what success is, our minds usually think of achievement; things we have accomplished in our lives. Seeking success according to the standards of society will likely include thoughts of finance, positions, possessions and popularity. But these thoughts represent the temporary circumstances of this world.

Looking for true success leads us to God’s word.

After all, it’s the instruction manual for this life and eternal life. It alone describes to us what true success really is. One of the many great Bible descriptions of genuine success is found in Psalm 119:59, 60.

“I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies. I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments.”

Here, the psalmist is considering how to achieve success. But instead of thoughts of success in this world, his mind is turned to the spiritual ways of pleasing God. As he looks at this spiritual inventory of his life, this man sees the need to change his direction. In repentance he has turned his feet, (changed his direction) and finds his course directed by God’s teachings. His desire to be led by God’s word is further reflected in Psalm 119:105, 106. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments.”

Turning to God’s word is the right direction for our lives because, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 16:25).

Jeremiah 10:23 admits, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”

Also, the author of Psalm 119 did not wish to delay in keeping the Lord’s commandments. “I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments” (again from verse 60). When we read about the obedience of the Philippian jailor in Acts 16, we find that he did not wish to delay his obedience to the Lord either. Verse 33 says, “And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.”

The psalmist took an oath to keep God’s “righteous judgments” (Psalm 119:60). It is vitally important to consistently keep the commandments of God in our lives. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

Hebrews 5:9 says that Jesus became “the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”

Some in our society will look at these verses and consider that obeying the Lord would be a real burden for them. They think about the changes they would need to make in their lives and decide not to turn the direction of their feet in repentance.

These do not realize that God’s teachings are given for the betterment of our lives. Deuteronomy 10:12, 13 says, “What does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?”

The Lord desires for you to have salvation in Jesus Christ. God is “not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Colossians 3 speaks of our being baptized (“raised with Christ,” verse 1).

Consider the first four verses of Colossians 3. “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

You see, there is a great eternal reward that awaits the faithful child of God.

Jesus said in Mark 13:13, “He who endures to the end shall be saved.” This is true success! The success God wants you to have lasts forever. But you must choose to obey Him (Matthew 7:21).