STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS IN 2016 (3)

“But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18)

The Christian life and experience are likened to the growing intensity and brightness of the sun as the day progresses from dawn to the splendour of the noonday. The difference however is that whereas the intensity and brightness of the sun wanes as the day progresses into night, the Christian experience is expected to continue to grow stronger and shine brighter as we grow older in the faith. The spiritual experience of the wicked is the very opposite of that of the righteous. The Living Bible captures the contrast beautifully, “the good man walks along in the ever-brightening light of God’s favour; the dawn gives way to morning splendour, while the evil man gropes and stumbles in the dark” (Proverbs 4:18-19). What should be responsible for the disparity in the life experiences of the righteous and the wicked?  Has it got anything to do with the choices each of them makes or are they just living out their different destinies?  It is my considered opinion that their choices have more to do with their spiritual experience than their destinies.  Whereas impunity is the lifestyle of the wicked, humility is that of the righteous. The wicked chooses to live in utter disregard to God and shuns accountability to Him (Psalm 10:13).They  live as if God will not call them to account and as a result spend their life time stumbling through the dark alley of confusion and failure.  But, “Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart” (Psalm 97:11 NKJV). Ungodliness is utterly wasteful in all of its ramifications.

Righteousness is going to become very marketable because God is its promoter.  He will enjoy peace in the midst of turmoil. “For the Lord watches over all the plans and paths of godly men, but the paths of the godless lead to doom” (Psalm 1:6 LB). The godly orders the course of his life by the Word of God. He ardently desires and daily prays for God to guide his every step–“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105 NLT). The righteous recognises the superior wisdom of God and humbly submits to the guidance of His Word. He hides the Word of God in his heart both to cleanse him from sins and to preserve him from going off the right track. He daily feeds on the Word of God knowing that man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that comes out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).  Listen to the wisdom of God: “Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 8:3 NLT). Bread or food in general represents the reward of our labour. Recall Paul’s charge to the Thessalonians to the effect that he who does not work should not eat (Thessalonians 3:10).  When the Bible asserts that people do not live by bread alone it implies that human labour or effort alone does not fully account for our success in life.  Having a lot of money and plenty food to eat without any regard to God is a hopeless failure.

The foundation of true Christian life is faith in the Word of God. As we daily receive nourishment from the Word of God, we grow and mature in our spiritual experiences. We grow from the slave mode to friendship mode in our relationship with God. Our Lord told His apostles, “I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me” (John 15:15 NLT). Progressing from slave mode to friendship mode in our relationship with Christ is the implication of our light shinning “ever brighter unto the perfect day.” A slave only does what the master orders him or her to do. Friends can reason together and weigh options before deciding on a line of action (Genesis 18:17-33). A friend can be a confidant to the master depending on the level of intimacy their friendship has attained. God wants to relate with us as friends and not merely as slaves. Friendship with God is what will enable us to live under a cloudless sunshine that knows no gloom. Our path will be illumined with increasing brightness of God’s glory as we grow into deeper intimacy with Him. The “perfect day” will dawn when we awake in His likeness. I therefore boldly confess with the Psalmist, “As for me, I will see your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in your likeness” (Psalm 17:15 NKJV). Let us then in obedience to the Word of God, “Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them (you)” (Isaiah 3:10 NKJV).