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The Ladder of SuccessThe ladder of success depends on one's aspirations and the motivation behind them. I recently heard a radio personality comment as to the scriptures that motivated his life. His response was: John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life and John 14:15 - If you love me, keep my commandments. This man's name has become a household name; and he has definitely advanced on the ladder of success, but his sights were on a higher plane - that of a heavenly goal. Man's sights on how one's success is measured is often based on financial assets, the home one lives in, the car one drives, the company one keeps, along with many other contributing factors. The term ladder is listed as a means of rising, a graded series of stages or levels in status, to gain in popularity or importance. Success is listed as that of attainment of wealth, position, or honors. The achievement of that which is desired, planned, or attempted. Success not Measured in Earthly GainOne's ladder of success will not be measured in earthly gain but that of a heavenly nature. Our Lord said: Lay not up yourselves treasures on the earth but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:19-21). The concept of laying up treasures in heaven is that of faithful service to the kingdom of God.We live in a fast pace world where heavenly matters are often pushed aside for that which is temporal. The attractions of this world, the cares of this life, and accumulation of earthly gains, often outweigh that of a heavenly nature. Set your Affection on Things AboveThe apostle Paul wrote: Set your affection (or mind) on things above, not on things on the earth. Put on, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts. And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed by knowledge after the image of him that created him. (Colossians 3:5-17).
The New ManThe new man is the person one becomes after conversion: he possesses a new nature, values, aspirations, and a new life-style. The new man is constantly being renewed or developed by the Word of God. As a new creation, in Christ, let our gift to mankind be of servitude to the one who died that we might live, through His shed blood, on the cross of Calvary, to wash and cleanse us from our sins.John 3:16 and John 14:15 should be the turning point in one's life towards putting off of the old man, that is sinful in nature, and putting on of the new man, which is renewed by knowledge after the image of him that created him.
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