KEYS TO SUCCESS IN LIFE

Keys are very important. Though usually very little in size when compared to the the size of doors, these little instruments determine whether or not we’ll have access to a place, thing, machine, opportunity etc. GOD’s word is filled with many keys of his kingdom. Each key opens specific doors. A correct key can grant access to a computer or castle. A wrong one can likewise deny access to doors leading to frustration. Today we’ll discuss the keys that give access to true godly success in family, career and any other area of life.  

 

In a broad sense, the key to liberty is the truth (John 8:32). Different truths decode and give access to different dimensions of liberty. For instance lets take a very basic example. When a person is inflicted with cancer or the HIV virus, because of the absence of a cure, that person is in bondage to this illness(es). Why? They will perish for a lack of knowledge of the cure (Hosea 4:6). The knowledge of a cure is the truth or key that such a person will need in order to access liberty from the illness.

 

In the same vein, success from God’s perspective (being useful to God in His Kingdom) can be accessed by the application of specific keys. Let us discuss some of these. 

 

STAYING DILIGENT, EMPLOYED AND FRUITFUL

 

Apostle Peter in the eighth verse of the opening chapter of his second epistle made a very profound statement.

 

2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

In context, Peter asserts that success and fruitfulness lies in the power of the believer if he or she will only adhere to (and super-abound in) certain principles or attributes which he enumerated before this verse. Before we delve into the individual attributes, let’s examine this verse a bit more thoroughly. The verse asserts that if we do certain things, we shall neither be barren (unemployed or idle in God’s Service) or unfruitful (barren). 

 

DEFINING BARREN & UNFRUITFUL

 

The original Greek word translated as barren in 2Peter 1:8 is transliterated ‘argos’. What does ‘argos’ mean? The Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries defines it as:

 

G692 (argos)

From G1 (as a negative particle) and G2041; inactive, that is, unemployed; (by implication) lazy, useless: – barren, idle, slow.

 

We see clearly from the definition that argos has to do with unemployment, inactivity and by implication laziness or barrenness. Unemployment includes but is not limited to not having a job. For a better understanding of argos let us take a look at another scripture where the word argos was employed.

 

Mat 20:3-4

(3) And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle (Argos) in the marketplace,
(4) And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

 

The word translated ‘idle’ here is argos. Idle here meant they were not doing anything fruitful with their lives. Now lets see the definition of the word translated as unfruitful. The Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries defines it as:

 

G175 (Akarpos)

From G1 (as a negative particle) and G2590; barren (literally or figuratively): – without fruit, unfruitful.

 

2 PETER 1:8

 

Now that we have both words defined, Apostle Peter was saying that if we practice certain virtues, we can avoid being unemployed and barren or idle and unfruitful etc. What does this mean? It means if we practice what he had just asked us to practice before he made this statement, then it’s a foregone conclusion that we will be employed, fruitful, productive and successful in all things but especially in the exact knowledge of the Son of GOD—the Lord Jesus Christ. What then are the things that make us free from a barren and unfruitful life? What are the keys that lead to good success? Joshua notes the following:

 

Joshua 1:8 (AMPC)  This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have GOOD SUCCESS.

 

THE ATTRIBUTES TO SUPERABOUND IN

 

2Pe 1:5-10 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; (7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. (8) For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (9) But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. (10) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

 

The moment a believer is born again, he is dealt freely by GOD the measure of faith (Rom 12:3). He or she does not have to work for it. It’s a free gift. But as great as faith is, it should not be the sole virtue we operate on. Dilligence alone is also not enough. We are to add to these other ‘attributes’ that will make us super successful in our spiritual and physical life. Folks who lack these things according to Peter are short-sighted but those who add these things to their faith shall never fail or fall (i.e. verse 10).

 

Let’s consider each of these keys one by one.

 

ADD TO YOUR FAITH, VIRTUE (aretē)

 

What is virtue? The original Greek word used by Apostle Peter is transliterated aretē and according to Thayer’s Greek definitions, it means “a virtuous course of thought, feeling and action”. It also means moral goodness or moral excellence such as modesty, purity etc. It is not enough to have faith alone but we need to posses and add to our faith, moral excellence in all we do. We live in a world where there is a dearth of morality. Folks live for themselves and care not what consequences their actions have on others or GOD’s creation. Sex is no longer sacred and lying is permissible under ‘expedient’ conditions. This ought not to be so. GOD has his standards of right and wrong and all who call themselves his children must strive to live by GOD’s standards. To tell you the truth, it’s not even hard because GOD has given us His Holy Spirit to help us bear the fruit of moral excellence (Gal 5:22). All it takes from our side is submission to the Holy Ghost and partnering with him. When we feel angry, instead of lashing out at the instigator, we can rather choose the path of moral excellence and choose to forgive with the enablement of the Holy Ghost within us. It’s really a choice.

 

A wife cannot choose to be disrespectful in her home and expect her marriage to be a success just like a husband cannot expect to continually abuse his wife and expect that marriage to be a success. But if a husband yields to the Spirit of GOD within him and continually agape’s his wife like Christ loved the church and gave himself for her and the wife also respects her husband with the help of the Holy Ghost, of course such a marriage will be a glowing success. Moral excellence includes not taking bribes or doing anything that is morally questionable.

 

ADD TO VIRTUE, KNOWLEDGE (Gnosis)

 

There are many Greek words used for knowledge in scripture and each has a different meaning. Some of the words refer to revelation knowledge or other forms of knowledge that GOD blesses man with supernaturally. The knowledge Apostle Peter is talking about is not one of them. The word used here is Gnosis. Gnosis is intellectual knowledge i.e. knowledge that has to do with our human intellect. That includes all sciences. We are to add to our moral excellence intellectual knowledge. Christians should have intellectual knowledge about their jobs, world, families, Christianity etc. If you want to be a husband and a father, study what it takes to be a good husband and father. Apply yourself to intellectual development.

 

ADD TO KNOWLEDGE, TEMPERANCE (egkrateia)

 

Temperance is translated from the transliterated word egkrateia. It is defined as self restraint, self-mastery, self-control, continence etc. The NT Greek Lexicon explains egkrateia as the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, esp. his sensual appetites. Some are easily mastered by senses, emotions or physical appetites. This is problematic. We should rather be mastered by Holy Ghost for he who is joined to the Lord is one Spirit with Him. Egkrateia is the ability to hold yourself back even though your flesh wants to do something that does not pertain to moral excellence such as getting involved in a fight, or getting involved in a sexual misconduct or even running a red light at the traffic light. By ourselves we cannot do this but by the Spirit of GOD that indwells us, we can do all things through Christ who vitalizes us. Luke 21:19 tells us that “In your patience possess ye your souls”. This means we have the ability to do so. If we did not, the instruction would not be given.

 

ADD TO TEMPERANCE, PATIENCE (hupomonē)

 

As we just explained, it is impossible to egkrateia or exercise self mastery without patience. The word translated as patience is hupomonē. What does it mean? It is defined as cheerful and hopeful steadfastness, constancy and endurance. Said differently, it refers to staying power or the ability to go the long haul and not checking out at any sign of distress or discomfort. It is a cheerful or joyful hope and expectation. The expectation of the righteous shall not be cut off. Hupomonē is joyful staying power.

 

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Like Jesus when we encounter distresses and presumed delays in career or marriage or some other endeavour, let us not just throw in the towel. NO! Let us rather look to the joy at the end of the tunnel and endure despising whatever temporary shame might come while we endure. How can we agape or submit in a Christian marital relationship without the ability to endure cheerfully. Again this is the outraying of the Holy Ghost in us. We do this by His enablement in us. Without him, it is impossible to do this. Endurance leads us to victory over self, sensuality, darkness and fear.

 

ADD TO PATIENCE GODLINESS (eusebeia)

 

The word translated Godliness is eusebeia and has reference to outward actions of piety. This includes the way we carry ourselves externally. The funny thing is if we have a stinky character, there is no way we can hide it. It will definitely affect our external actions so even though eusebeia does not refer to inward nature, the inward life of a believer affects the way she or he acts externally. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

 

ADD TO GODLINESS, BROTHERLY KINDNESS (philadelphia)

 

Brotherly kindness is translated from the word Philadelphia which is defined as brotherly love or friendly love or fraternal affection. This too is important to our success. Why is this needed for our success in this world? Because the way we relate with people goes a long way to build trust and friendship which are necessary to network. By ourselves we can do some good work but when we multiply our forces through networking we can do more.

Brotherly love is good but to be truly excellent, we must add to this type of love the highest type of love and that leads us to the final thing which the Apostle says if we posses in increasing measure we shall never fail thus spiritual, mental and physical success being assured.

 

ADD BROTHERLY KINDNESS, LOVE (agapē)

 

Agapē, what is it? Well agapē is GOD and GOD is agapē. GOD does not possess love. He is Love i.e. agapē. Agapē unlike Philadelphia is unconditional. We may start out loving people conditionally but we are to grow to love them unconditionally. This type of love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22) and thus it can only be experienced by those who have been initiated i.e. born again by Love or GOD.

 

CONCLUSION

 

The attributes explained above that lead to this fruitfulness are great core values to cultivate. These values lead to success whether in the religious world or the corporate world. If the scriptures be right, then if we add to our faith moral excellence, intellectual knowledge, self-mastery or restraint, hopeful and cheerful endurance, piety, friendly love and GOD’s own kind of love i.e. agapē, we will be fail-proof or fall-proof in all our endeavours especially in the full and exact knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. That means success will be ours. 

 

The Lord is Truth. The knowledge of Jesus as Truth leads to the greatest of liberty of all…liberty from sin and death as explained in Romans 8:2. More on that in other posts.

Knowledge of the Son also leads to abundant life (Zoe)  according to John 3:16 and John 10:10 to name a few.

 

Fruitfulness in the knowledge (epignōsis) of our Lord Jesus is a must because its a super key that unlocks all adversarial doors and gives us the life GOD has prepared for us. Above all, it increases intimacy with GOD, the creator of  the Universe. The more exact knowledge we have of Him, the more we love Him.

 

Wisdom is to pursue such knowledge that leads to fruitfulness/success.