“Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.” Psalm 37:3
Whether you are a new or seasoned reader of this blog, it should come as no surprise that I love books. Theologically rich books have been especially helpful in pointing me to Jesus and helping me see Him as increasingly glorious and beautiful. They have also helped me understand my personal responsibility when it comes to sanctification (a fancy word that refers to one’s growth as a Christian). Upon my reading of Jonathan Leeman’s insightful book, How the Nations Rage, I came across a simple yet powerful statement that has been on repeat in my mind. In one of the concluding chapters of the book he wrote, “ . . . success for a Christian equals faithfulness, not results,” (pg. 173). This little truth that I’ve been dwelling on has been a desperately needed encouragement for my heart. It has been pivotal in transitioning my gaze from gloom to glory.
During a time in which many aspects of life have been put on pause, I’ve noticed the temptation in my heart toward apathy. Life is apparently in such disarray that even Christians are consistently fighting with each other. Christian unity is being disrupted over issues that aren’t imperative to salvation or the gospel message (1 Corinthians 15:3). Cancel Culture is in full swing and Outrage Culture is quickly following suit. When all around the world gives way, with the culture we seem to sway. Remaining steadfast under trial is no small feat and the temptation to forfeit faithfulness to Christ is all too enticing.
Yet the simple reminder that success equals faithfulness has ignited a fire in my bones. It has propelled me forward and caused me to endure because there is a reward coming. His name is Jesus.
I recently learned of the false belief that Jesus had been financially and materially successful in His time here on earth. This made me consider the biblical definition of success and it dawned on me that Jesus indeed, was the most successful person ever. Success for Him, however, wasn’t about obtaining fleeting finances and temporary treasure. Success for Jesus meant obedience to God’s will even though it resulted in Him undeservedly dying a gruesome death to reconcile sinners to God. One might wonder what motivated Jesus to do such a marvelous and merciful thing. Jesus Himself revealed His motivation in John 4:34 when He said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”
Jesus was perfectly content in obeying God and because of Him, we may share in that same content obedience. Our sin separates us from God but Jesus took the punishment for our sin on the cross canceling the record of debt that stood against us (Colossians 2:14). When we turn from our sin and place our faith in Jesus as our only hope for being made right with God, we are granted mercy and grace (Romans 10:9, Hebrews 4:15). His mercy results in our record of sin being expunged and his grace means that it is replaced by the perfect life Jesus lived on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21).
When we place our faith in Jesus alone, He gives us His Holy Spirit to conform us to His image (John 14:26, Galatians 5:22-23). If we desire to experience true success the way Jesus did, we can by the power of His Spirit working in us. Knowing that Jesus was perfectly successful in His obedience to God on my behalf gives me great hope. When I fail to be perfectly faithful and thus perfectly successful, I can repent and fix my eyes on Him (Hebrews 12:2). When I understand that God no longer sees me as a sinner but as perfectly righteous because of Christ, how can I not delight to do His will?
In this life, I may not be successful at many things but by the power of the Holy Spirit, like Christ, I can remain faithful. I don’t enjoy working out but I’m compelled to do it as an act of stewardship. Bodily training is of some value, after all, and it enables me to continually serve others and to love God to the best of my limited ability (1 Timothy 4:8). I don’t necessarily enjoy the tasks involved in the upkeep of my home, like constant cleaning, yet I am able to work heartily for the Lord knowing that my reward is from Him (Colossians 3:23-25).
When I don’t experience any tangible successful outcomes of my ministry efforts, I can remain faithful regardless because God remains faithful to me and He remains faithful to His bride whom He deeply cherishes (Ephesians 5:25). He is working and doing many things despite my inability to always see and understand His ways (Deuteronomy 29:29, Isaiah 55:8-9).
Even when I don’t feel like being faithful I can remain faithful because of Christ. I can even remain faithful with joy since Jesus did (Hebrews 12:2). Joy doesn’t mean life is free of trouble. It doesn’t look like plastering on an artificial smile and slogging my way through sanctification while ignoring life’s difficulties. Joy is having a content disposition of the heart because God has secured my righteousness in Christ and nothing can change that.
I may not know much success in this lifetime, at least not according to any earthly standards. But I can remain faithful to God because He remains faithful to me. He is coming soon and when He does, we’ll understand why the trials of this present time aren’t even worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed to us on that Day (Romans 8:18).
My encouragement to you, dear readers, is simply to remain faithful in all your endeavors by being humbly dependent on the One who remains faithful to you now (2 Timothy 2:13).
Like David in Psalm 37, befriend faithfulness, primarily, God’s. Look to Him with radiant faces and hopeful hearts longing for the glorious, quickly approaching Day in which we will forever enjoy the presence of faithfulness Himself, Jesus Christ.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
