Whether you are trying to pass a test, play the piano, get a good job, increase your faith, overcome temptations, or have any other goal, success in life or in any pursuit has its secret in God.
Here, we explore three keys to success as a Christian.
1. Success as a Christian: Be willing to let God guide you
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
Sometimes we set goals and want them met more than anything. We plan our own way. But this is meaningless without God, because it is God who establishes our steps. God has what is best for us. Our own plans are often not what’s best, and if God has something better, we need to allow Him to direct us.
For any goal that we have, we should have the attitude of willingness for God to guide us, without insisting on accomplishing the goal our own way or in our own time frame. We should not insist on our own plans but make room for God’s guidance.
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.'” (James 4:13-15)
2. Success as a Christian: Have a good motive
“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3)
Sometimes we ask God for something, but we ask with bad motives. The following are some examples of good motives vs. wrong motives.
Good motive: I want a good job so that I can have income to support myself, my family, and help other people.
Bad motive: I want a good job so that I can have enough money to spend on anything I want, whenever I want, and however I want.
Good motive: I want to learn to play the piano because I enjoy music. Maybe I can dedicate some songs to God.
Bad motive: I want to get better at playing the piano in order to show off.
We need to examine ourselves to see what our true motives are. If it is not good, then we should ask God to change our attitude and give us good goals and pure motives.
3. Success as a Christian: 100% God and 100% you
The third key to success is to depend on God and to do our best. A wise person once stated that success in anything is 100% God and 100% you.[1]
Many people make the mistake of either doing everything themselves and not relying on God, or letting God do everything and not lifting a finger themselves.
True success is 100% God and 100% you, because both of these are true:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.” (Luke 10:27)
It is true that apart from God we cannot do anything of lasting value. So we should depend on God. It is also true that we should love the Lord with all our strength by doing our best.
If we don’t put in any of our own effort, we should not expect God to give us things on a silver platter. For example, if I don’t study for a test but I pray very hard for God to give me a good grade, I should not expect to get a good grade. God does not approve or enable laziness. Therefore, in whatever we do, we should depend on God and at the same time put in our best effort.
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
This goes for everything, and every spiritual goal as well. If you want to better understand the Bible, have more faith, be closer to God, etc., try to follow God’s commandments and not give up. Cheerfully, without complaining, put in your best effort and ask for God’s help along the way. He will open doors for you, and change you and make you strong. Then you will have true success and thrive!
We spend a lot of effort in a lot of things…
It is worth noting that we spend a lot of effort and time on our own personal pursuits. But for the things of God, we might not be spending much time or effort at all. It should not be this way.
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
The things of God are important. Afterall, God is Life (John 14:6). If we have put in the effort for our schooling or careers, we should put effort in seeking God as well. So don’t easily give up on reading the Bible, praying, or persevering in the things of God. If there is anything worth pursuing, seeking God is worth pursuing. We should at least put in the same effort as we do other things, and not give up easily when we run into difficulties.
“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” (2 Chronicles 15:7)
[1] Source: RBC Ministries, Our daily Bread Ministries
Read John 15 in the Bible.
Learn how to succeed in Overcoming Temptations.