“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1 John 5:4

What is meaning of meaning of true success?

Some think it is the accumulation of money and possessions, yet we know that at the end of life we keep nothing.

Others think success is found in the amount of popularity or approval we have in the eyes of others, yet the opinions of others can change at any moment.

Still others think it is the acquisition of power and authority, yet time and again we see great dictators fall from power within weeks, days, or even hours. At the end of life, we have no power at all.

So where is true success found? Success is found when we find and carry out the purposes for which we were designed by our Creator. Those purposes stream from a personal relationship Him. As Ephesians 2:10 says,

“We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Pursuing God and His purpose and will for our lives is the cornerstone of our success on earth.

The problem is that this world is full of distractions that keep us from pursing God and His purposes. Ironically, the very things the world offers us to achieve “so called” success (money, possessions, popularity, and power) can keep us from achieving real success through pursuing God and His will for us.

These distractions and temptations are a powerful force in our lives. They are like the force of gravity that can keep us from ascending to greater heights.

What is needed is a force greater than the “gravitational pull” of the world. Just as NASA engineers developed rocket power to overcome gravity for astronauts to break through our atmosphere, we must have a force greater than the world to enable us to overcome its control over our lives.

That force is found in the power of the Holy Spirit, given by God to those who trust in Christ, Who enables us to find and accomplish God’s will for our lives, thus achieving true success. He empowers us to overcome the gravitational pull of this world (temptation, distraction, persecution) to serve God and fulfill His purposes for our lives.

When we proclaim the gospel, we are offering people the key they need to overcome the world and find their true calling, purpose, and reason for living in a love relationship with their Creator.

Here are a few reasons why Christ is sufficient for us to overcome the world:

1. Jesus Himself overcame the world and makes it possible for us to as well. Jesus tells His disciples in John 16:33, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jesus overcame all of the persecution, opposition, temptation, and distraction the world had to offer. He completed the work God gave Him to do, including dying for our sins and rising from the dead.

By doing that He locked heaven’s door for us, allowing us to become children of God through faith in Him. And because we are children of God, we inherit every spiritual resource and blessing needed to overcome the world and find true success in serving the Lord.

2. Jesus knows firsthand that the struggle is real. Jesus not only 100% God, but also is 100% human. He has experienced all of the persecution, distraction, and hardship we face and persevered through them to complete the purpose and mission that God the Father had assigned Him.

Because of His experience, He knows exactly what we need to overcome the world and intercedes on our behalf to the Father. Hebrews 4:15-16 says,

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

3. Jesus walks with us every step of the way. Because Jesus has faced the same trials and tribulations we have, He is like the ultimate trail guide for us as we follow Him. He promises us His presence and His peace even in the midst of the darkest circumstance. He even has the uncanny ability to use the hardest tests we face in overcoming the world to our advantage, making us stronger for future assignments.
4. Jesus is waiting for us at the finish line. This is where I find the greatest encouragement. This world is a tough place, but I know that my Savior not only leads me along the way, but also waits for me at the end. Just as Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father to greet Him as He entered heaven, I know my Savior waits for me as well. Knowing that provides encouragement, hope, and perseverance in the midst of hardship.

When the trials, temptations, and tribulations of this life loom large, cast your eyes on Jesus, the One who overcame. As the old hymn says,

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will look strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”