SUCCESS BY THE SPIRIT – PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME.
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God (Luke 16:15).
A man isn’t a success because other people say he is. A long list of academic, political, or business achievements isn’t essentially the definition of success. That a person is famous and celebrated by men doesn’t mean he or she is a success before God. A successful life, one that pleases God, is that which achieves those things that God has called the person to do.
Thus, the first thing is to know what God has called you to do. There’re people that are praised in this world and acclaimed to be successful, who will eventually end up in hell. Some are already there. It doesn’t matter what anyone says about you, the only one who matters is the one who made you. He’s the one who knew the purpose for which you were born. So, don’t live your life to the applause of men. Jesus said, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37). He also said, “…for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15).
What do you esteem in your life? What are the things that are important to you? What drives you? What are you passionate about? Until, and unless those things are the same things that God considers important, things of Kingdom and eternal value, they’re useless. Don’t run in vain; don’t put your efforts in the wrong things. Don’t seek to please men; do all things with only one goal in mind: to please the Lord Jesus and be a success for Him.
God wants us to be successful according to His definition of success, not according to man’s standards. He wants us to have a great life; He wants us to do excellently well; He wants us to be productive in our lives; producing results that glorify Him. And we can only do this by the power of God’s Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, no matter what you do, it’ll be empty. True success is by the Spirit and in fulfilling God’s call, plan, and purpose for your life.
