The Successful Christian

THE SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN
by Dr. Ken Matto
What is the definition of a "successful Christian"? Is it one who has much money? Is it one who is in full time ministry? Is it one who has a family? Or any other visible worldly standard we place on it? If the worldly person is seeking a definition of success, they would look at the world’s definition. As Christians how do we gauge what success is? Well, there is only one place to measure our success in the Christian walk and that is according to Scripture.
As Christians it is not necessary to attend mega-conferences where everyone jumps up and down in a stadium while some "preacher" rides his motorcycle onto the platform. Let’s grow up. If we truly want to seek out the essence of a truly successful Christian walk, we must invest time in Scripture, time in prayer, and time checking our spiritual walk and motives against the Bible to see if we are walking in God’s ways.
(1 Cor 6:20 KJV) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
For this particular study, I wish to offer 22 ways whereby if a Christian walks in them, we may consider our lives a success. Each element will be a Scriptural principle and therefore the Bible will be the only commentary for the body of this study. I will of course put my two cents in at the end.
THE SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN:
1. Doesn’t Give Up - Nehemiah 6:10-15
(Neh 6:10-15 KJV) Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee. {11} And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in. {12} And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. {13} Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me. {14} My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear. {15} So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.
2. Prays - Daniel 6:10
(Dan 6:10 KJV) Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
3. Faces Adversity with the Right Perspective
Paul - (Phil 1:12-14 KJV) But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; {13} So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; {14} And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
4. Praises God - David - 1 Chron. 29:10-17
(1 Chr 29:10-17 KJV) Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. {11} Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. {12} Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. {13} Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. {14} But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. {15} For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. {16} O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. {17} I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.
5. Guards Against Drifting - 1 Timothy 6:20-21
(1 Tim 6:20-21 KJV) O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: {21} Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
6. Studies the Scriptures - Ezra 7:10
(Ezra 7:10 KJV) For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
7. Obeys God - Joshua 6
(Josh 6 KJV) Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. {2} And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. {3} And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. {4} And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. {5} And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him. {6} And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD. {7} And he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the LORD. {8} And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them. {9} And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets. {10} And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout. {11} So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp. {12} And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. {13} And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets. {14} And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days. {15} And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. {16} And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city. {17} And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. {18} And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. {19} But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD. {20} So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. {21} And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword. {22} But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her. {23} And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel. {24} And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD. {25} And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. {26} And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it. {27} So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country.
8. Focuses on Eternity - Hebrews 10:34
(Heb 10:34 KJV) For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
9. Is Involved in the Lord’s Work - Archippus
(Col 4:17 KJV) And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
10. Is a Friend at Low Tide - Ruth 1:14-16
(Ruth 1:14-16 KJV) And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. {15} And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. {16} And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
11. Does not Compromise - Micaiah
(2 Chr 18:9-27 KJV) And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. {10} And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed. {11} And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king. {12} And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good. {13} And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak. {14} And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand. {15} And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD? {16} Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace. {17} And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil? {18} Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. {19} And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner. {20} Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? {21} And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so. {22} Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee. {23} Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee? {24} And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. {25} Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son; {26} And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace. {27} And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.
12. Is Not Swayed By Every Wind of Doctrine
(Acts 17:11 KJV) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
(Eph 4:14 KJV) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
13. Is Fearless - John the Baptist - Luke 3:1-20
(Luke 3:1-20 KJV) Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, {2} Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. {3} And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; {4} As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. {5} Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; {6} And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. {7} Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? {8} Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. {9} And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. {10} And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? {11} He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. {12} Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? {13} And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. {14} And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. {15} And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; {16} John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: {17} Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. {18} And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people. {19} But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, {20} Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.
14. Makes Mistakes - Peter - Matthew 26:69-75
(Mat 26:69-75 KJV) Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. {70} But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. {71} And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. {72} And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. {73} And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. {74} Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. {75} And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
15. Is a Counselor - Jethro - Exodus 18:19
(Exo 18:19 KJV) Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
16. Avoids the Pitfalls of Sin - Proverbs 4:14-15
(Prov 4:14-15 KJV) Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. {15} Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
17. Has the Ability to be a Biblical Lover
(1 Cor 13:4-7 KJV) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, {5} Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; {6} Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; {7} Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
(2 John 1:6 KJV) And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
18. Is Forgiving - Ephesians 4:32 & Colossians 3:13
(Eph 4:32 KJV) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
(Col 3:13 KJV) Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
19. Depends upon the Holy Spirit - Romans 8:14
(Rom 8:14 KJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
20. Gives Money to the Lord’s Work - Mark 12: 41-44
(Mark 12:41-44 KJV) And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. {42} And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. {43} And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: {44} For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
21. Is Thankful - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
(1 Th 5:18 KJV) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
22. Stays out of Needless Debt - Proverbs 22:7
(Prov 22:7 KJV) The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
These twenty two principles will help stabilize your Christian walk. God never intended our lives to be a roller coaster event whereby we are constantly defeated by our circumstances. In the middle of adversity God has given us principles and examples in Scripture to guide us through those times. He never expects us to turn to some psychologist, Christian or secular, since they both spew out the same humanistic principles.
The "Christian" psychologists use one or two verses of Scripture and then twist and corrupt it by adding vile humanistic principles to it. God’s Word is pure and it can bring us through the most trying times in our life without a humanistic/Christian psychologist babbling their unscientific subjective theories.
As a Christian God gave us the Word of God to guide us from cradle to grave and it is time we appropriate it and put the psychologists out of work and not the Holy Spirit.
A Biblically successful Christian is one that obeys and cherishes God’s Word.
(Psa 48:14 KJV) For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.
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