Success For The Sinner

 

Success For The Sinner

Job 6:13 "Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me?"

Generally, success can be understood as the achievement of a desired goal, the fulfillment of an objective, or the realization of one's ambitions. It is often associated with a sense of accomplishment, progress, or favorable outcomes in various aspects of life.

However, success is not solely determined by external markers such as wealth, status, or recognition. It can also encompass internal factors such as personal growth, happiness, fulfillment, and the alignment of one's actions and values. Success is a multifaceted concept that can encompass different dimensions of life, including career, education, relationships, health, personal development, and contribution to society.

Note that success is a journey and not a destination. It involves setting meaningful goals, working towards them and making adjustments until the end result is achieved. Questions we may need to ask ourselves about success are; "where did the success comes from?" and "by what means is it achieved?"

Proverbs 13:7 "There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches."

There is always an underlying factor or force behind every success. The underlying factor is different for the sinner compared to the saint. In both cases, it is spiritual i.e. intangible, none physical. The idea that trigger success in any case is only known by the person who conceived the idea at the initial stage and God who knows all things. It is only after that the idea is conceived and have been worked upon that it becomes a physical reality for all to see.

For a sinner, it is all about himself or herself. He or she sees the idea coming from his/her effort. Personal effort is good but without the help of God, the glory will go to 'limited self: or 'merciless devil'. 

 "There is that maketh himself rich..."

All the effort without looking up to God is not 'true success' in the sense that is exposure for the devil to take advantage and looking for every opportunity to kill, steal and destroy.

Psalms 75:6,7: '"For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.  But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another."

True success comes from God and not from self or from the devil. The God factor is very important in success. The sinner does not see God in the picture. The sinner sees self or the devil. The sinner is engrossed in self or the devil or the success itself. The sinner have no time for God. He or she is at the mercy of the devil.

1 Samuel 2:7 "The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up."

Life is governed by principles. The word of God is laddened with principles. From these principles, we can be propelled into success. We can also see principles in nature and science. If not backed by the word of God, the so called 'success', may hurt the person pursuing the it.

"... promotion cometh ... from ... God ...The LORD maketh ... rich ... and lifteth up."

So, the sinner man is depriving himself true happiness by turning his back from God.

By what means does a sinner succeed? By the means of himself, the devil or by any sinful means. The sinner may go the extra mile to succeed without knowing the mind of God concerning his life. Sin is the nature of the sinner. The sinner may commit sin by all means to succeed. The sinner tell lies, steal, kill, and destroy just to get what he wanted. He sees success as 'do or die'. He may get what he want at the expense of his soul. He does not know true peace and happiness. He goes the crooked way. He has 'a lot of skeleton in the cupboard'. He is covering a lot of secrets. His success attracts a lot of problems like sickness and disease. In some cases, the sinner is lazying around and expects success to come. He has no time to put in the right effort. He is always looking for short cut.

Proverbs 10:4 "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich."

What the sinner may call success is simply poverty packaged with beautiful colours. Deligence and dedication is not in his dictionary. He is ready to give bribe for what he needs to work hard for. This short cut may bring him down. His assumed success may cause him unnecessary pain.

Proverbs 17:8 "A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn."

Success may not come at one go. It may have to come at many trials. Repetattive attempts can add up to bring the big success. The sinner is in a hurry and may not take time to do the important things that mattered.

The sinner is a rebel at heard. He rebel against God not following the right principles. The devil easily suggests all kinds of evil ideas that may destroy his life without him taking caution.

The Bible have examples of men and women who went the path of destruction in the name of success. You can not afford to join the list. With God by your side, you will have true success.

God in Christ Jesus have given us the victory so that failure will not be part of our story.

1 Corinthians 15:57 'But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

What is your story like? Are you a sinner pursuing success by self effort or by the prompting of the devil? Do you have a measure of success that is causing you unnecessary pain? Are you always pursuing the short cut and not seeing the bigger picture? Are you hurting people purposely just to succeed? Do you have a pack with the devil? It is time to repent!

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ, salvation have come. Go to God in true repentance and ask Him to show you His will for your life. By following Him and His will, you will have success without sorrow.

Pray this prayer:

My Father and my God, I surrender my life in Your hand and I ask You to change my perspective about success and happiness. Teach me to walk in Your ways until true success becomes part of me.

I will be successful because You will see to it. I will remain obedient to You. This I pray in Jesus name. Amen!