Who is a great Christian in your mind?

Is he wearing a fancy suit with a million dollar smile, standing in front of a megachurch structure, signing his latest books on success? Or is he on a wheelchair, beaten up, maimed, and broken in body but not in spirit?

I know you know the answer, but we forget it when it’s happening to us. For example, when you sacrifice something for christ and His church and you end up taking a loss for it, how do you feel? Do you feel like a success or like a loser? Almost always like a loser! And if we are like most Christians these days, we will stay away from sacrificing any more for Christ because it doesn’t pay to do so.

That shows us that we have the same definition of success as the world does. Success is bigger, better, more comfort, more fame, and more money according to the world. Without thinking, we employ that same mindset when it comes to spirituality. We think growing in Christ means to have more comfort, improved lifestyle, and less hardships. But the Bible says exactly the opposite is true.

The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 11 boasts about himself. What does he boast about? All his accomplishments? All his learnings? No. His sufferings! His measure of success was in how much he has suffered for Christ.

What has it cost you to follow Christ? Success in God’s eyes is how consistently obedient we have been in the midst of difficulties and trials, and not in how many miracles or great things happened to us.

Why was Jesus a success? Because He had a large following? Because He performed greatest of miracles? No. Because He was obedient unto death!

Measure success by how much someone has suffered for Christ.

PH