Define success on a spiritual basis

[shastajade]

I am constantly being compared to more 'sucessful' people that my step dad knows. It gets to me. But then people tell me not to worry about it because his standard of success is how much you own and how much money you have. I look at success (or try to) centered around God. But since I am obviously not successful in a worldly sense, then can someone define success on a spiritual basis?

 

[wayfaring man]

I am constantly being compared to more 'sucessful' people that my step dad knows. It gets to me. But then people tell me not to worry about it because his standard of success is how much you own and how much money you have. I look at success (or try to) centered around God. But since I am obviously not successful in a worldly sense, then can someone define success on a spiritual basis?

Gladly , ( Lord willing )

Greetings shasta ,

success - [ in simplicity ] means ( what follows after ) / results .

It generally is used to designate an act or effort , which has brought wealth , or a desirable return of some sort .

[ His search for a parking spot was a success .]

In a spiritual sense , one would be rightly considered a " success " when their efforts to become effectually endowed with the virtues of God , had led to a consistent demonstration of those virtues .

Or in simpler terms - To be truly Christ-like .

With the Greatest Success being receiving the Gift of Eternal Life in Heaven .

<-----> Luke Ch 12

15: And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16: And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18: And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19: And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20: But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21: So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

<-----> Luke Ch 13

23: Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24: Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25: When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
26: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27: But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28: There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
29: And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
30: And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

<-----> 2nd Peter Ch 1

: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3: According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5: And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6: And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7: And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8: For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9: But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10: Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Hoping this is helpful to you .

wm

 

[shastajade]

Thank you for your response. I appreciate the time and effort you put into it. I read those verses you gave me, half of them twice. I will keep them highlighted in my Bible for future refference. Thanks again.

 

[Risen Tree]

*mod hat on*

Moved thread to Christian Advice.

*mod hat off*

 

[desi]

Spiritual success is not going to Hell when we die.

 

[helmikaarina]

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23

I think that if a person has at least some of these in his/her life there is a plenty of worldly and spiritual success too. Although I might use some other word to place success - maybe wholeness, integrity, gifts, happiness...

 

[shastajade]

Thank you for your responses. More are definatly encouraged.

 

[repentandbelieve]

A person achieves spiritual success by glorifying God.

 

[wayfaring man]

Thank you for your response. I appreciate the time and effort you put into it. I read those verses you gave me, half of them twice. I will keep them highlighted in my Bible for future refference. Thanks again.

Dear shastajade ,

You're welcome !

It is my highest form of pleasure to be helpful , through the effectual sharing , of the spiritual observations and insights which God has allowed me to embrace .

Warm regards ,

wm