Your Success Depends on God

The idea of independence permeates today's culture. “Do what you want,” experts say, “You’re the only person that matters!” They may also say, “Only you determine your destiny – the power is all in your hands!”

The message may sound and feel inspirational - especially if it comes from someone we respect. However, these sayings stand in direct contrast to Scripture. Compare these messages with Colossians 1:16 (ESV): “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”

In other words, God is the “why” of life, as well as the “how” of how we get there. God’s glory is the goal of all Creation. Stars, oceans, music, work, Monday morning meetings – they’re all for God’s purposes. In the words of RC Sproul, “If God is the Creator of the entire universe, then it must follow that He is the Lord of the whole universe. No part of the world is outside of His lordship. That means that no part of my life must be outside of His lordship.” Even everyday graces like water and food are meant to give His creatures more reasons to thank Him. These simple graces reflect His character, His love. Even the people who nailed Jesus to the cross received their daily bread from God, without thanks or regard.

Secular (and sometimes religious) culture says that life is all about what you want, and that any self-improvement is by your power. In other words, we’re told that all things are through and for us – secular culture teaches a nearly identical version of Colossians 1:16, while placing every word “you” with “him.” That is the goal of our sin nature.  It’s the goal that turned Lucifer to Satan: the idea that we belong on God’s throne.

One day, when I began reading Psalm 144, the first verse surprised me: “Praise the LORD, who is my Rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle.”

The psalmist could have said, "I train my hands for battle and give my fingers skill for battle." After all, he put in the hard work! Instead, he demonstrates full reliance on his Designer. We often forget (myself included) that we can't do ANYTHING without Him (John 15:5, Ps. 127:1-3)!

As you were busy reading that last paragraph, you took a breath or two, probably without even thinking about it. Our gracious Sustainer saw fit to let us breathe another time, without thanks. God doesn’t just give this grace to His children. God sustained the breath of Jesus’ mockers and murderers. He gave breath to the same lungs that spouted lies, blasphemies, and false accusations against Him.

This same gracious God gave us every talent and spiritual gift that we have, so who are we to boast in our talents, our intellect, our spiritual gifts, our kindheartedness, our morality? As Scripture says, all things are through Him and for Him. All gifts, talents, abilities, and personality traits are given to us to magnify His Purpose. We often use our God-given abilities as instruments for pride, but by God’s grace we still have them.  God wants to redeem every part of us for His glory and the good of others, that they might know Him. How can we boast in our abilities, unless to boast about the Giver of all good things? As RC Sproul mentioned, if everything’s from God, then everything’s for God.

I need to remind myself of this every day. The ability to tap the keys on my keyboard right now is a gift, given from God and for God.

Another notable passage is in James 4:13-16 (ESV)

¹³ Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— ¹⁴ yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 

James is saying that we overestimate how much control we have over our lives. Psalm 127:1 reiterates this point.

So, does this mean we should just give up, lie on the couch, not go into work, and say, “God will handle it”? No. Despite God’s limitless power, He includes humanity in His work. As His image-bearers, He empowers us with responsibility over our actions and resources. He commands us to work, to “have dominion over the earth,” to be good stewards, and to pursue righteousness. He wants us to Christ’s representatives and to act with diligence & wisdom in all areas of life – whether in work, school, time management, relationships, physical health, etc.

In Matthew 9:38, Jesus says to “pray earnestly... for laborers in the harvest.” As Paul writes concerning his teaching and preaching of the Word, “For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” (Col. 1:29). Paul also mentions how he “press[es] on” (Philippians 3:14), and he says to “work heartily” (Col. 3:23).

As we head into the new year, let’s align our mindset concerning our goals. Let’s remember our purpose, summed up in the following passages and verses: Matthew 12:30-31, Col. 1:16-18, Eph. 2:10, and Matthew 28:16–20. Let’s work hard to the glory of God and for the good of others, all by His strength –that’s what true success is.