“For not from the east, nor from the west, nor from the desert comes exaltation; But God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another.” True success is becoming like Christ.
—Psalm 75:6–7 (NASB)
Brothers and sisters, let us look with clarity and reverence upon this truth: it is God who exalts and humbles. Human achievement and recognition are powerless to determine true worth in the sight of the Almighty. His judgment is sovereign and pure, untouched by the fleeting whims of men or the standards of this world. To seek success apart from Him is to chase after wind, producing only hollow fruit.
The Danger of Carnal Success
There is a temptation in every heart to measure success by outward results—by numbers, applause, or influence. But this reveals a carnal mindset. Consider the warning of our Lord:
“What does it benefit a person to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36, NASB).
A man who delights in success or despairs in failure places his identity in circumstances rather than in God. Such a man may labor in the name of Christ but still cling to the flesh. His fruit may look appealing outwardly, yet within it is a worm—a subtle rotting born of pride, insecurity, or self-reliance. True success, beloved, cannot thrive apart from humility and dependence on God.
The False Measure of Ministry
Even in the service of God, we may fall prey to this deception. How often do we equate God’s blessing with visible results? Crowds in pews, converts at the altar, books distributed, programs launched—these are good things, but they are not the ultimate measure of a life pleasing to God. The prophet Zechariah reminds us:
”‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of armies.” (Zechariah 4:6, NASB).
Without the Holy Spirit, we may achieve what appears to be success, but it will lack eternal value. A ministry built on human effort or ambition is like a house built on sand—it will not stand when tested. Jesus said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted” (Matthew 15:13, NASB). God alone establishes what is true, lasting, and glorifying to Him.
The Heart of the Servant
God’s true servant is one who understands that success is irrelevant to his worth in the eyes of God. He knows that he is accepted, not because of his work, but because of Christ’s finished work on the cross. As the Apostle Paul declared:
“For it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13, NASB).
Such a servant rests content, knowing that God’s love is constant and unchanging. He does not labor to earn God’s favor or to impress men but to glorify His Savior. His joy is found not in his accomplishments but in knowing that he is loved and redeemed by the blood of Christ.
Becoming Like Christ: The Greatest Honor
What, then, is true success? It is this: to be like Christ. To walk as He walked, to love as He loved, and to serve as He served. Jesus Himself said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28, NASB).
Christ, who had all authority in heaven and on earth, humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). He demonstrated that greatness in the Kingdom is found in humility, obedience, and selfless love. As His disciples, we are called to the same path.
Tozer captures this truth beautifully: “Our great honor lies in being just what Jesus was and is.” What higher calling could there be than to reflect the image of Christ? What greater success than to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21, NASB)?
Living for Eternal Significance
The world will tell you that success is measured by what you achieve and what others think of you. But God’s measure of success is eternal. He is not impressed by the works of the flesh or the approval of men. What pleases Him is a heart fully surrendered, a life that bears fruit in keeping with the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23, NASB).
Beloved, let us reject the hollow pursuit of worldly success. Let us seek instead the eternal glory of becoming like Christ, knowing that our value is not in what we do but in who we are in Him.
Prayer: A Cry for Humility and Dependence
Holy Father, You are the Judge of all the earth, and Your ways are perfect. Forgive us when we measure success by worldly standards, forgetting that all things come from You. Teach us to rest in Your love and to trust in Your sovereignty. May we not labor for the approval of men or the fleeting rewards of this life, but for Your glory alone. By the power of Your Spirit, conform us to the image of Your Son, that our lives may reflect His humility, obedience, and love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let this be our prayer: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30, NASB). May our lives be hidden in Christ, bringing Him honor now and forever. Amen.