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Seven Laws of Success |
Dear Brethren,
What is success? Can
success be measured in terms of achievement and accomplishment
in our lives, or is security and well-being a better measure of
life's success? In today's fast changing youthful culture,
success for many people is equated with notoriety, winning, and
fame. For most business men and politicians, success is defined
in terms of prestige, wealth, power, and control. But, let's
keep in mind that success in God's eyes is not synonymous with
these definitions, but is something entirely different.
It is God's intention that
each and every person become a resounding success. Only God
knows what our incredible potential is. Our success in this
lifetime is directly and inexorably linked to our role in the
Kingdom of God. But, again let's not make the mistake of
measuring success as man does. Many ministers in God's Church
make the mistake of equating success with ministerial rank.
They believe that the most important responsibilities in the
Kingdom of God will go to senior ministers of high rank. But,
God looks on the heart of His obedient children; and indeed,
some poor widow lady may vastly surpass a rich banker in Godly success.
"I the Lord search the heart, I try
the reins, even to give every man according to his deeds, and
according to the fruit of his doings." (Jeremiah 17:10)
Spiritual success is measured
in how nearly we progress and develop into the image of God,
because we are being created in His image (Genesis 1:26).
"We shall be like Him." (1John 3:2) We
should understand what is God's ideal when it comes to success, because
failure is not an option for us. Herbert W. Armstrong made this list
of "Seven Laws of Success."
- Have the Right Goal
- Education or Preparation
- Good Health
- Drive
- Resourcefulness
- Perseverance
- Divine Guidance
Let's begin with Divine
Guidance. God must be first in absolutely everything we
do. For example, if God's Word says, "Marry only in the
Lord," (1Cor 7:39) - that does not allow for brethren or
ministers to join a believer to a non-believer (2Cor 6:14).
How can we know if we are putting God first in our lives, or if
we are merely fooling ourselves and doing what makes us
comfortable? Jesus gives us the answer: "It is written,
Man shall live... by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth
of God." (Matthew 4:4)
We must set the Right Goal, which is defined by God: "Seek you first
the kingdom of God, and His righteousness." (Matthew 6:33)
"Seek" is active. This command does not allow for complacency.
In order to bring about God's kingdom and righteousness, we must be well versed in
how to vigorously go about it.
Education in the Word
of God does not come by osmosis - in other words, we do not
naturally soak it up. The Lord said, "Gather me the people
together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may
learn to revere me all the days that they shall live upon the
earth, and that they may teach their children."
(Deuteronomy 4:10)
Without Good Health
it is hard for us to pull our share of the load, let alone have
enough reserves to be a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). Good
health is not limited to physical health alone, but must include
the mental health of a sound mind, especially in the realm or
ambit of emotional, psychological, and intellectual integrity.
Our bodies and minds are to be the temple of God (1Cor 3:17,
6:19, 2Cor 6:16). Are we spiritually healthy?
To be successful in God's
perspective, we must Drive ourselves. God does not
expect us to wallow in a mud hole like a pig, but be determined
to climb the highest peak and soar with the eagles. True, we
are made of the dirt, but we are to be born eternal Spirit (1Cor
15:42, John 3:5-6). Jesus set us the perfect example of the
drive and motivation we must have when He said. "My meat
[drive and motivation] is to do the will of Him [God
the Father] that sent me, and to finish His work."
(John 4:34) Are we driven by the Will of God?
Resourcefulness is
necessary for success. It goes without saying that we must
possess resources to be resourceful. We must develop both
physical and spiritual resources. The greatest resource of all
is a right relationship with God, then all things will work for
the good (Romans 8:28). If we have a welfare mentality that
others should provide for our needs, we lack the resourcefulness
to come to the aid of our brother. Doing just enough to get by
is not God's measure of success - physically or spiritually.
Jesus said in the parable of the pounds, "Well done, thou
good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little,
have thou authority over ten cities... For I say unto you, That
unto every one which has shall be given; and from him that has
not, even that he has shall be taken away from him." (Luke
19:17, 26)
Perseverance to the
end is the teaching of God. This world of Satan's believes in,
"Once saved, always saved, because Jesus did it all for you."
That concept denies the obedience to God that builds character
in us. The world loves its own, but it does not love those who
obey Jesus Christ (John 15:19). Here is the truth: "You
shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall
endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." (Mark
13:13)
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Sermon: |
"Seven Laws of Success"
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