Successful living is defined in different ways, but it is the ambition of every intelligent person.   I know several very successful individuals that have achieved great wealth and status. By the world’s definition, they would be successes.

There is a vital link missing in our lives when we do not care deeply about the progress toward heaven we make day by day (He.11:16).  Does the Bible give us incentive, motivation, and direction in these matters?  YES!

To a Christian, the standard is higher and of a different nature. The desire to succeed in the sight of God should be our passion.  We need to think seriously of the ingredients of spiritual victory (success) more often than we do.  This thinking occupied much of Paul’s writing and preaching (Phil.3:12-14, 15, 16, 20, 21). 

Vs.12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. (13)  Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, (14)  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians happens to be one of those books in the inspired word of God that when you come face to face with the reading of the book, you cannot help but be encouraged by it. Its light shines bright and draws you to it like a moth to light. Philippians is the “front porch light” of the Christian. We quickly understand that for the Christian, the center of his or her life is Christ. If you want to be successful, truly rich, see them not as the world views riches (although there is nothing wrong with being rich as long as you remember where all blessings come from and are faithful stewards) but rather how the heavens view riches. Paul, I believe, gives us some clues to successful living. I want to examine those in this text. At the end of this examination, I will list some other vital ingredients for your study.

Paul makes three affirmations:

First, “Not that I have already obtained.”  Paul understood, as we should, that simply living life is nothing to be desired, but rather live life with an attitude of excellence before the Lord. Notice his affirmation in verse 14, “I press on.” Press own to what may be the question. I believe we have the answer provided to us in Hebrews the 11^th chapter verse 16 when the writer states: “But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.  It is heaven! That must be our supreme desire in chasing success, that earth is nothing more than temporary, and heaven is the home for all of those that are obedient to the gospel call of Jesus Christ.

Second, “or am already perfect,” We will be made perfect only in Christ. Do we fully comprehend that when we are in Christ, the Great Physician is presenting as clothed in pure, clean linens to God? While we are sinners, we make mistakes, we are not perfect, and the blood of Christ cleanses us daily and keeps us pure before God. “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead” (Vs. 13). Paul says that if you want to be successful, then do not be influenced by the past. Move away from it, do not look back, and FORGIVE yourself. Often, the greatest obstacle standing in front of our successful living in the Lord is our inability to forget the mistakes or repeat our past mistakes (sins). We are our greatest critic; give yourself a break. When you repent of your life in Satan and begin your walk with Christ, God has forgiven you and thrown those sins of your past as far away as the East is from the West. (Psalms 103:12)

Third, “I do not consider that I have made it my own.” When I was younger, I proudly shouted to anyone who would listen that “I can do it independently!” How incredibly wrong I was. There was a time before I was married and had the influence of a faithful wife that I was buried in the depths of sinfulness. My upbringing and life while at home were filled with that of a “Christ-centered home.” Now, as an adult, I did not live that life. I had turned from the teaching of my mother and father I had left the Lord. It was my selfish thinking that took me away from the protecting arms of Jesus; thinking that I can do it on my own caused me the most significant time of sinfulness in my life. I CANNOT MAKE IT ON MY OWN! Paul tells us “one thing I do” (Vs. 13), or his focused business was to lay aside every weight that holds us down or keeps us from our success in Christ. To be able to achieve this requires us working out daily, not physically but spiritually. We must come to the understanding that God’s divine word is where we find the answers to life’s problems, where we can turn to as our “manual” for successful living.

Paul sums up the thought of successful living and the ingredients for such in verse 15-16 and 20-21:

Vs. 15  Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. (16)  Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Vs. 20  But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it, we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (21)  who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

So, I close with this, my other ingredients for successful living. Not an exhaustive list, just areas that I work on daily. They are in no particular order, just food for thought. You may have your own; feel free to share those with me. The most important thing to remember here is true success only comes in a relationship with Christ on His terms, not ours.

1-    Remember Christ’s victory over Satan (Mt.26:64) Christ defeated the hold of Satan on us upon his resurrection from the grave. Death could not hold, Satan cannot hold us either

2-    Follow Him all the way home!  (Re. 14:4b) “It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes.” As the sheep follow the shepherd of the flock, we follow Christ. He is exercising the graces of humility, patience, and love before all humanity.

3-    Keep the goal in mind always!  (Re. 2:10) God’s people undergo suffering of various sorts. Remember the temporary residence status of your earthly living. Your home is in heaven if you remain faithful until the day of your death.

4-    Never lower the standards! (2Pe.1:2-10) Living according to the standard set by the word of God is the only way to be successful. Our daily desire should be to add these qualities to mindset and standard of living.

5-    Surround yourself with proper companions! (Prov.24:1) It is true that “garbage in is garbage out!” the same holds with filling your mind and heart with purity and goodness. Seek always those that will assist you on your journey to heaven.

6-    Do more than read the Bible; study it! (2Ti.2:15) Handling the word of truth correctly is of paramount importance. You cannot teach others about the extraordinary grace of God and living a successful life without getting into the meat of the word. That requires study.

7-    Share the excellent gospel message with others! (Rom.1:14-16) As one who walks under the banner of Christ, you walk with the knowledge that Christ is in control. You are not ashamed of what he has done for you; do not hesitate to share the marvelous grace of God with others. Doing so will admonish, humble, and teach you more than you could have ever imagined and lead a lost soul to cross.

8-    Let love dominate your thinking! (1Cor.13; 16:14) In everything that you do, desire to do it in love. Your attitude toward others will change when you let love be primary in living. Remove all the ugliness, hatred, bitterness and fill your life with love.

9-    Have the courage to stand-alone! (Dan.1:8) When you stand for Christ, you will find yourself standing alone at times. The world stands for Satan; you stand for God!

10-  Develop a consistent pray life! (1Sam.1:10) We need to approach God daily with our desires, our needs, the needs of others, and our thanksgiving. God answers prayer. Some will tell you that God is dead, that if He lives, He does not listen to you. How sad to buy into that philosophy. In the case of Hannah here in 1^st Samuel, God did hear her prayer.

11-  Always count your blessings! (Jms.1:17) All good gifts come from above; remember that you serve a living God, and He cares for you.

12-  Remember – to live is Christ!  (Phil. 1:19-21) Living life on earth is to live life for Christ. Our focus in life should always be Christ-centered.