One of the challenges of becoming an “overcoming” Christian and of success in general is to recognize that there is more to the process of becoming successful than wishing and wanting. We all want the love, peace, and joy of success, but are we willing to pay the price?
You will find all kinds of motivational slogans and clichés about reaching your dreams or reaching your potential on social media, advertising, books, magazines, TV, and movies. However, all the slogans and clichés will not replace two things: making the right decision and committing to follow through! Show More
Making the right decision.
In the Old Testament are a series of books known as “the Wisdom Books”: Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Psalms, and Song of Songs. These books contain wisdom for those who seek and follow it, but what is biblical wisdom? In this sense, wisdom can only come from God; it is spiritual because it is revealed through the Bible (logos) or by the Holy Spirit (Rhema). Let me add that rhema always agrees with the Bible. James 1:5 (NKJV), “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Now let me be clear: knowing God’s direction is only one half of the equation; the other half is doing what God has revealed to you, regardless of the cost.
Remember the parable of the two builders in Matthew 7:24-27, one builder built his house on the sand, and the other built his house on the rock. The storm came to both houses, and the house built on sand fell and was destroyed, but the one who built his house on the rock remained standing through the storm. The question in this parable is, what is the difference between the sand and the rock? The one who built his house on the sand is like someone who hears the word of God but doesn’t do or obey the word of God. The one who built his house on the rock is the one who hears the word of God and then obeys by doing it. So, we all build our lives, and storms will come; however, are you a “doer” of the word of God in the storm?
Consequences
Choices always have consequences; even not making a choice is a choice. Galatians 6:7-10 (NKJV), “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Clearly, our important decisions should have their foundation in doing things God’s way. We secure our foundation in God by communicating with the Lord through meditating on the Word of God, worshipping, praying, and taking the time to hear from the Lord. As a believer, God has promised to never leave you nor forsake you; as a matter of fact, He calls you His friend!
It’s natural to look at the natural situations and circumstances that we face in life, and at times it may look very discouraging, but in the storm, we mustn’t lose our focus on the Lord. We are called to be faith walkers, which means we must learn how to see with spiritual eyes. Recall the story of Elijah and his servant in 2 Kings 6:16- 17; they were surrounded by the army of Syria, which wanted to capture Elijah. As Elijah’s servant looked out upon the situation, he was terrified; however, listen to what Elijah said, “16 “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” The Lord looks out for His own. Romans 8:28 (NKJV) says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Count the cost.
Jesus tells us in Luke 14:28-30 that counting the cost is an important part of the decision-making process. “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?”, (NKJV).
It is easy to become a “legend in your own mind”; in our imagination, we often see the path to success as easy or clear. The reality is that there are many obstacles and pitfalls that we will have to overcome or avoid. The truth is that you have an enemy, the Devil himself, who wants to steal, kill, and destroy the faith, hope, and vision God has given you.
Commitment to the decision.
“Remember, there are two parts to being a successful Christian; one is to make the right decision, and the second is to commit to the decision. In other words, use godly wisdom to make the decision or choice and then follow through to the end.
Isaiah the prophet said in Isaiah 50:7, “For the Lord GOD will help Me; Therefore, I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed [disappointed]” What does it mean to set your face like a flint? Flint is a type of stone that is hard and, when broken, forms sharp edges; in the past, flint was used to make many kinds of cutting tools. What Isaiah was saying is once I’ve decided, I will cut through every hindrance and obstacle until I have reached the goal; I will not give up!
Many years ago, a term that was used to demonstrate focus and determination was to have the “Eye of the Tiger.” Perhaps you have read or seen images of a tiger or big cat stalking its prey. They are single-minded, not easily distracted, focused, and intentional in getting to their goal, the prey; in our case, we need to be just as determined to fulfill the call of God upon our lives.
What sometimes distracts us from having the “eye of the Tiger” is that we look at the circumstances or our natural abilities and we say, “I can’t, or it is impossible. That is when we remind ourselves that we “walk by faith and not by sight” as it says in 2Corinthians 5:7. Don’t forget that the Holy Spirit lives in you and nothing is impossible with Him because He is the Spirit of God!
When the Apostle Paul said in “Philippians 4:13 (NKJV), “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The context of this statement was that no matter what the circumstances are, I will trust in the Lord to bring me through them. We can expect the same if we have faith in Jesus.
Commitment means Endurance and endurance requires Faith.
Our journey with the Lord is a faith walk, which means we need to be spiritually aware or focused on the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit is the Helper that Jesus promised us when Jesus ascended to heaven. We cannot do it alone! We must acknowledge the Holy Spirit living in us because He provides the authority and power of God. This is our faith walk, Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. The substance of our faith is the Bible; the evidence of things not seen is accomplished by the Holy Spirit living in us. Through the Holy Spirit, we have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a mind to comprehend the things of God. (1Corinthians 2:6-16)
Examples of commitment
Moving in the Spirit of God has less to do with feelings and emotions than truth! The Bible is the source of truth, and we must believe and obey the truth regardless of our feelings and emotions. Obedience to God is demonstration of real faith. Faith moves God, Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. The fruit of faith is the reward that is in the Lord’s hands.
The Apostle Paul describes Jesus’s attitude when He endured the trials and pains of obeying the Father.Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We are to be like the long-distance runner, and what the long-distance runner needs is endurance. Don’t quit!
Then the Apostle Paul said about himself at the end of his life in 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NKJV), “6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” Paul ran his race to the very end, and that is his instruction to us. Run the race of faith with endurance; the goal is just around the corner.
The Conclusion is that Success in life requires making Godly decisions + commitment.
Someone once said, “A decision is made with the mind; a commitment is made with the heart. Our Lord Jesus Christ has made the greatest decision and commitment. You know that He loves us; the Bible clearly tells us so. However, His love is a decision and commitment for our good. God’s love in the original Greek is the word Agape; this kind of love is not an emotion but an unconditional decision and commitment to provide us with every good gift from heaven.
Faith to fulfill decisions and commitments requires three characteristics.
- Learning to lean on the Holy Spirit residing in us.
Ephesians 3:20, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” You have authority given by Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish the Lord’s will in and through your life.
- Learning Patience (endurance).
James 1:2-8 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” Don’t be double-minded keep focused on the goal “that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2b.
- Remembering who we serve.
The Lord’s love for us is endless. Romans 8:37-39, Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Have faith in God, who loves you; You are more than a conqueror!
