So far so good. Many would agree. But on a practical level, it really doesn’t happen very often or very much. The church is NOT known in the world as a true or genuine reflection of “the glory of God in Christ.”

The Leadership has been largely politicized, the people have largely bought into their surrounding culture rather than being a voice for change and there is very little difference between a moral, upright, middle-class family inside or outside the church.

This situation has deeply affected our witness to the “new life” in Christ mostly because the “new” part is not very well defined. That is where the missing link can be found.

It’s one thing to say that the only way to please God is to become like Christ. That is rather self-evident.

It’s also fairly obvious to say that we need to embrace our uniqueness and accept our creational abilities and spiritual gifts as given to us by God.

SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE

But something is missing in the middle. And this is where I may get some push-back from people in the church.

I am claiming that the ONLY way to become like Christ is to live a life of effective ministry (like Christ did). It is not enough to become like Christ in his morality or his relationship to God, in his piety, or even in the way that he relates to others.

That’s all fine-and-dandy but the Bible is clear that we need to become like Christ in his purpose, in his mission, in his “glory” revealing efforts. Paul tells us that we need to become like him in his sufferings so that we might become like him (or share) in his glory (Romans 8:17b). To the degree that we suffer for the gospel, suffer to bring the gospel to others, suffer to introduce others to God through Christ, to that degree we are also partaking in the glory of God in Christ.

And that is ministry.

That is effective ministry when there is real fruit (stewardship) and real ministry (leadership) in the context of a real battle for the hearts and souls of people who need to hear the gospel (discipleship). Effective ministry is a lifestyle. It is YOUR unique life ministry. Whether you are a Pastor or a Missionary or a Biologist or a Truck Driver, your life of effective ministry, however that looks, is what will create the character (glory) of Christ is you.

Did you know that what you choose to do for a living will shape and mold you into a certain kind of person? And not just what you do but how you do it and what you think about what you do. It is all one thing.

A policeman can become arrogant and “justice” oriented or he/she can become kind and gentle even after seeing the evil side of everyday life.

A nurse can live a life of continual pressure and demands and become a demanding person, always expecting people to pay the personal price she/he is willing to pay for his/her career. Or they can become beacons of hope and self-service towards others.

Identity (including morality and personality) is shaped by purpose and given power through significant ministry/work. It is true in the world and even more true in terms of the work of God in our lives to become like Christ.

The only way to become like Christ is to lead a life of effective ministry. That is the missing link.

It’s not just about virtue but virtue in service to others.

It’s not just about spiritual/creational gifts but gifts used in ministry.

It’s not just about morality but rather morality as an expression of our relationships with others.

It is not inward-focused but outward.

It isn’t just about who we become but how we become who we were meant to be…..the best version of ourselves which is only possible “in Christ.” And the only way to do that and to be “in Christ” fully is through a life of effective ministry (just like him).

An effective ministry is about producing the fruit of changed lives through the preaching of the gospel.

How you do that will depend on the gifts, abilities, and interests that your Father in Heaven has given to you and that you have a responsibility to develop and implement. And that’s great news because your “effective life ministry” is something that will bring joy and peace to you in an overflowing, abundant, and anointed life of sacrifice and suffering for the gospel in a world at war with God. Strange words indeed.

Without getting the missing link in place, we will end up with the prosperity gospel on the one hand or the sleeping giant of evangelicalism on the other. These are the 7 spiritual laws of true success.

TOE TO TOE WITH DEEPAK CHOPRA

But I still have a problem. That title is taken. Specifically, it is taken by Deepak Chopra, with his book titled, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. So you can imagine the confusion. Not that I have a problem going toe-to-toe with Mr. Chopra. His book is interesting and contains a few important ideas, but it is not written from a Christian worldview.

Here are his Seven Spiritual Laws (I am translating from Spanish).

First is the Law of Pure Potentiality.

Second is the Law of Giving.

Third is the Law of Sowing and Reaping (which he also calls “Karma”).

Fourth is the Law of Less Effort.

Fifth is the Law of Intention (or Desire).

Sixth is the Law of Letting Go and, finally,

The seventh law is the Law of Life Purpose (which he also calls “Dharma”).

All of these laws are true to an extent and could possibly help someone to achieve their goals or dreams. There is no real evidence that these laws work but many successful people claim that they follow some or all of these rules for living. No doubt.

But for a Christian, it doesn’t really matter. I would rename the book something like “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Secular Success.” Mr. Chopra would probably not even understand what I meant but the truth is that everything starts with your definition of success. He defines success without a personal relationship with God through Christ. That makes his concept of success “secular.”

We are talking about “spiritual” success that includes and is integrated with what is generally understood as “secular” success. We are, in fact, transforming “secular” success into “spiritual” success through a new relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Because the context is based on a Christian worldview, that changes the details of the “spiritual” laws that lead to success. I’m not sure how any of his laws can be considered “spiritual” if they have nothing to do with the Holy Spirit, but to give him the benefit of the doubt, let’s assume that what he means by “spiritual” is that it has to do with the human spirit (and perhaps how we relate to other human spirits). I think he would agree with that.

Do we, as humans, have incredible potential to accomplish almost anything we can think of? Yes, of course. Creating in ourselves a giving spirit that focuses on other people is a key element in how we become people of influence. The law of sowing and reaping comes from the Bible and he may only use it in a creational sense. But he is right. You have to make an effort. What you sow, you will reap. True enough.

The Law of Less Effort seems to be about Mastery and Flow in your pursuit of success and that is also true. Being clear about what you want or desire (intentionality) is also an important step. Learning to let go of your dreams seems to be counterintuitive but it most definitely is a key element. It means that success is not just an event but a process of who you become on the journey. Let go of the destination to become the success you desire.

And finally, The Law of Life Purpose or having a clear purpose in life is, obviously, an important element as well. Without that, nothing else matters.

The problem is that whether or not you accomplish your success in life, you may not like it when you get there. So many people have said that they are still unsatisfied, still unhappy, still unfulfilled. Marriages suffer, children are estranged, and relationships are shallow. What does it all matter anyway in the context of suffering and death that comes to all of us? Exactly.

So some of the points Mr. Chopra makes can be useful, especially if put into a Christian worldview. He seems to have stripped certain Biblical ideas out of their context to “secularize” them as if they worked on their own without a personal relationship with God.

But a magic wand without any “magic” is just a stick.

You know what I mean. The power of the Biblical Laws of Success is the Holy Spirit and the Anointing of God.

So, in the end, I had to decide to call this series The 7 Laws of Spiritual Success to differentiate myself from Deepak Chopra. Sometimes you may see me interchanging the two titles. That’s all right as well.

So long as you get the idea that there are 7 Spiritual Laws for Spiritual Success for Christians that will bring you identity, purpose, and significance in life. That is what meaning is built on and that creates joy and peace beyond understanding.

After all, joy in life while you do effective ministry is the point.

The Desert Warrior

Lord, I want to please you. I am excited about the life ministry that you have for me because it means that I can do what I love to do in the service of the Kingdom.

Thank you for a life of significant ministry. I know that my efforts are essential to your work and urgently needed.

I will make every effort to write, preach, and spread the gospel with all of my creational and spiritual gifts. Thank you.

In your name, I pray. Amen.