Eternal Success

John 3:22-27
After this conversation, Jesus went on with his disciples into the Judean countryside and relaxed with them there. He was also baptizing. At the same time, John was baptizing over at Aenon near Salim, where water was abundant. This was before John ws thrown into jail. John's disciples got into an argument with the establishement Jews over the nature of baptism. They came to John and said, "Rabbi, you know the one who was with you on the other side of the Jordan? The one you authorized with your witness? Well, he's now competing with us. He's baptizing, too, and everyone's going to him instead of us."
John answered, "It's not possible for a person to succeed--I'm talking about eternal success--without heaven's help.
Two thoughts come to my mind when I read this passage. First, human nature has not changed much. John's followers were jealous and petty, worrying about Jesus getting more attention than John. Next, the definition of success is different for true followers of Jesus.
The current definition of success is tied up with money and power--both of which can be used for good, but most of the time, they aren't. I hate to hear about people who have all the wealth and influence in our modern culture being wasteful and selfish with their money or abusive with their power.
What may be worse is to abuse success that is achieved through some faith-based organization. When I read the paper or see on the news that someone who is supposed to represent Jesus has done something horrible--misusing funds, abusing children, having inappropriate relationships--I will admit I become unforgiving. I know it's not for me to determine the punishment for these people, and it's a good thing because I would be merciless.
A person whose life is truly committed to following Jesus is a success because he or she has made a choice that is eternal--with heaven's help. Praise God for his plan of redemption