Defining Success: A Biblical Perspective

How do you define success? Is it related to how much wealth or influence you “accomplish” in life? John give us a glimpse into how Jesus defines success. Scriptural passages are from Berean Standard Bible (BSB). Here’s a quote to consider as you reflect:

God measures success differently than the world does . . . Wealth, skill, and influence are irrelevant to true, eternal success.

https://www.gotquestions.org/success-Bible.html accessed 11/5/23

In eternity what will matter? Will social media and blog posts number of like and reads matter? How we define and move toward “success” in life reveals what we believe and our purpose and meaning in life!

Biblical success is . . .

Biblical success that pleases and glorifies God is (1). being known by Him and (2). knowing and serving Him through faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel.

https://www.gotquestions.org/success-Bible.html accessed 11/5/23

John’s Gospel in chapter 17 includes Jesus’ prayer to our Heavenly Father prior to being arrested. Jesus tells us what eternal life is all about:

3Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.

Success is eternal life! Knowing Christ Jesus is eternal life! Truly, deeply knowing and walking with Him until He returns or calls us home!

Photo Taken in West TN as sun begins to shine through the clouds

Knowing and Believing in God

Prayer for All Believers John 17:20-26 Emphasis Mine

Consider that Jesus is praying for those who believe the Gospel! This is His prayer for us!

20I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Jesus prays that we will be united with Him. This is a wonderful truth that Paul explains in various passages. We are “adopted” and “grafted” into God’s Family (Romans)! We become part of God’s Holy Trinity–not as gods or divine beings, but as redeemed, restored, creatures welcomed into fellowship with God. God through the ministry of His Son Jesus breaks the curse and division that comes with sin, rebellion, and death! The Gospel message is that we are reunited and made anew (born again from above) in Christ!

22I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one— 23I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.

God’s love flows the unity of Holy Spirit. God intends to bring all who are willing into His family. God’s love consequently flows through His people so that the “world” will know about Him.

24Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Jesus wants us to be with Him. This begins at our redemption and lasts through out all of eternity!

25Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, I know You, and they know that You sent Me. 26And I have made Your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love You have for Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Jesus makes His Father’s nature (name) known to us! Consider an earlier passage of John in chapter 1 (BSB):

9The true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 11He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.

14The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

15John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ ”

16From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.

Amazing Truths of Eternal Life!

Truth 1: Eternal life is being reconciled to Jesus to spend eternity with Him!

Eternal life is awesome because we are known by God and are in His presence, where there is fullness of joy. We are not to rejoice because of our abilities, victories, and possessions in this world. True success in which we rejoice is overcoming this world, being saved, and going to be with Jesus in heaven.

https://www.gotquestions.org/success-Bible.html accessed 11/5/23

Overcoming the world and life with Christ is success! Being known by God and walking with Him is a gift and treasure that doesn’t fade or become irrelevant like all of our earthly possession! What is your greatest treasure?

“We must know before we can love. In order to know God, we must often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall then also think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure.”

― Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

How often do you reflect or think about God? We must know Him as He reveals Himself in His Word not as we might “imagine” Him of our own notions. The Psalms and Gospels are great guides!

Jesus allows and guides our “knowing” of God. Understand that the term “know” in Greek is a term that implies intimate and practical understanding. For a detailed explanation, check out this excellent resource (blog post):

Ginosko – Knowledge that Goes Beyond Information

Photo taken as sun breaks through clouds West TN 11/5/23

Truth 2: Eternal life begins in our present redemption!

Eternal life can function outside of and beyond time, as well as within time.

For this reason, eternal life can be thought of as something that Christians experience now.

Believers don’t have to “wait” for eternal life, because it’s not something that starts when they die.

Rather, eternal life begins the moment a person exercises faith in Christ. It is our current possession.

https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-eternal-life.html accessed 11/5/23

John the baptizer explains this truth in teaching about the Christ in John 3:26-36 BSB. Let’s consider each verse. First the appropriate context to understanding this passage. Verse 25 explains that a dispute has arisen: the issue of ceremonial washing. This is vital to properly understand the passage! Jews of this time period had strict washing ceremonies to ensure holiness/purity. John the Baptizer’s disciples are concerned because people are following Jesus. They say to him: ““Look, Rabbi, the One who was with you beyond the Jordan, the One you testified about—He is baptizing, and everyone is going to Him. ( last section of verse 26) John replies:

27John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.

John explains that Jesus is from heaven and that He is performing His role and mission. This is far greater than baptizing or washing people/items to make pure/holy. It’s important to understand that baptizing was associated with a new start/setting yourself aside for a purpose. Romans and other religions (particularly mystery cults) of this era practiced baptism as well.

28You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’

John clarifies his role in relation to Jesus. He is clear that he isn’t the Anointed One but fulfills prophecy. For an excellent explanation check on this post:

https://renew.org/john-the-baptist-in-the-bible/

29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30He must increase; I must decrease.

John’s joy comes from recognizing and serving the Messiah! That is his success: that he begins to decrease! John explains Jesus’ origins in the highlighted text below: notice the repetition in verse 31. John (the Baptizer) is making an important comparison! Jesus is the One who comes from above whereas John the Baptizer is the one from the earth.

31The One who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. The One who comes from heaven is above all.

32He testifies to what He has seen and heard, yet no one accepts His testimony.

Jesus speaks the truth in His testimony. This is personal knowledge of God His Father!

33Whoever accepts His testimony has certified that God is truthful. 34For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

Jesus speaks the words of God. Accepting Jesus testimony is to “certify” that God is truthful. What is truthful in relation to God? This is God being true to His promise to send a Messiah to redeem. Jesus speaks for His Heavenly Father. Holy Spirit is present and actively involved in Jesus’ ministry. We see that God the Father, Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit are working together in unity! This is one of the major themes of Gospel of John. John Chapters 15-17 explains this relationship.

35The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands. 36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”

Since Jesus is in relationship with Heavenly Father and was present and the cause for all of creation, His power brings eternal life. The choice is to believe and accept or reject and experience God’s wrath.

Note that the believer “has” (present tense) this life (the verb is present tense in the Greek, too).

We find similar present-tense constructions in John 5:24 and John 6:47. The focus of eternal life is not on our future, but on our current standing in Christ.

https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-eternal-life.html accessed 11/5/23

Summary

God defines success as becoming more like Christ, specially conformed to His nature! God desires that we seek His Kingdom and Righteousness first! Depending and trusting upon Him to accomplish His purposes is success! God’s Kingdom is eternal and different from the world. Regardless of how our lives may seem to us or others, we can be found faithful and obedient to the extent of our faith, hope, love, and trust in Him!