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."

  1. Have the Right Goal
  2. Education or Preparation
  3. Good Health
  4. Drive
  5. Resourcefulness
  6. Perseverance
  7. 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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