Since we have discovered the Father loves us as much as He loves Jesus (John 17:23), it is time for some to allow themselves to be loved. That is, they need to stop resisting the Father’s love, whereby they sabotage their life. God’s love does not call us to a lesser life than nonbelievers; in fact, it is to be a life more abundant. Yes, we are called to humility, but that does not mean we throw ourselves under the bus. We don’t have to feel guilty for being successful in life We cannot afford to hide the gifts of God and stop them from working through us. How does that glorify Him?
Have you granted yourself permission to succeed in life?
Do you think it is a sin to be successful? With that question, some of you immediately thought of money. Even though this is not entirely about money, lets ask the question. Do you think is it a sin to have lots of money? Is it wrong to be rich? Is it unchristian like to be successful in business? How much is too much success? Whatever comes between you and God. Lets reverse the question. How much is too little? Answer: whatever comes between you and God.
What purpose does success serve?
For one thing, it plays a major role in fulfilling the Covenant of God as it relates to the Great Commission. How do we expect to influence the world for the kingdom of God by being less successful than others? Some like to point to Mother Teresa who did not live a life of luxury. Okay, real brief. Do you know that millions of dollars funneled through her ministry to carry out her mission? Money is neutral. It’s a thing. Obviously, if we love money, we’re in trouble. 1 Timothy 6: 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. What would happen if someone ran a successful business that employed a bunch of people? Would not that employment help pull them out of poverty? Just giving money to people does not solve their problem. It is possible for believers to influence nonbelievers for Jesus Christ through godly businesses. They might even shape communities for the Kingdom, as a result. If you are gifted in the areas of business and finance, don’t repress the gift. See how God wants to use it.
No, this is not a call to start a business. Although, for some it may be. This is a call to grant yourself permission to succeed where ever the Lord places you.
It is time for some to be reprogrammed. You have been programmed to believe you will never amount to anything. As a result, your decisions often sabotage anything good the Father is doing in your life. A loving father does not intentionally wreck his children’s life. Our heavenly Father wants to enrich our lives. He is our Daddy -“Abba” (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6).
Some believe there’s a limit of success you should have. Again, the only limit there should be is what comes between you and God. Maybe you need to explore and find out how much farther you can go in life. You may glorify God all the more by doing so.
If you are limiting yourself, and God has not set those limits, you are not living up to your potential. That really is not a good place to be.
It is not a sin to love yourself well. As a matter of fact, God loves you with an everlasting love. You have always been of great worth to Him; otherwise, Jesus would not have purchased you with His blood. Everything God makes is of great worth. He did make you, didn’t He? Psalms 139: 14 – 18 I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Your works; and that my soul knows right well. 15. My substance was not hid from You, when I was made in secret, and curiously worked in the lowest parts of the earth. 16. Your eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect; and in Your book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 17. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! how great is the sum of them! 18. If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with You.
If you are going to love others well, you need to grant yourself permission to love yourself. Otherwise, you will tend to treat them poorly because you will want them to treat you poorly. Just a thought.
