Can 2004 reveal the secret of success?
Scripture reading: Philippians 2:1-11. Text: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” Philippians 2:5-7. We bid farewell to 2003 with a fourfold remembrance on four levels as we have asked ourselves, what are the memories, consequences, continuity, and lessons of the last year on individual, family, community and national level? Now we wish to greet 2004 with another mathematical formula, namely 2 X 3, in the hope that it will reveal the secret of success. Who does not want to be successful during this coming year?
LET US SEE THE VARIOUS VERSIONS HOW THE ORIGINAL IDEA HAS BEEN TRANSLATED.
– “Your ATTITUDE should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:” New International Version.
– “Let the SAME MIND be in you that was in Christ Jesus,” New Revised Standard Version.
– “In your lives you must THINK AND ACT like Christ Jesus.” New Century Version.
From these quotations it is obvious that the original Greek word has a deeper and broader meaning. Are not every intelligent person’s attitude or mind or thinking and action a complex process? Why do we behave, think, and act the way we really do? Today the behavioral scientists deal with people’s attitude, thinking, and actions.
WHAT ARE THE THREE IMPORTANT CONDITIONS FOR A PERSON TO GET AHEAD IN LIFE?
How GIFTED, TALENTED, EDUCATED is he or she? It cannot be denied that a smart person will get promoted sooner than just the other one who does not excel in life.
How RESOURCEFUL and PRACTICAL is he or she? A college diploma, even a Ph.
D. degree, does not mean so much unless person is ambitious and uses his/her ingenuity.
What kind of PERSONALITY does one possess? Our personality reflects our knowledge, resourcefulness, and success because we react to how people deal with us and treat us. Our personality shines through our attitude and behavior. I wish to quote again this interesting observation in the hope that you will agree:
– He that knows not – and knows, that he knows not, is simple – teach him,
– He that knows not – and knows not that he knows not, is a fool – avoid
him,
– He that knows – and knows not that he knows, is asleep – awake him,
– He that knows – and knows that he knows, is a wise person – follow him,
– He that knows – and thinks that he knows much more than he really does, is conceited – be careful about him.
WHAT ARE THE OTHER THREE CONDITIONS WE CAN AND SHOULD ADD TO THESE?
What is one’s PHILOSOPHY? The German language has an interesting word in this respect: “Weltanshauung” (worldview) and according to the Webster dictionary it means: “a comprehensive, especially personal, philosophy or conception of the universe and of human life.” How does one think of the family, people, community, government, and the world is the result of his or her philosophy.
What are one’s PRINCIPLES? It is insufficient just to think without coming to conclusions, without seeing certain basic ideas and concepts in life, without setting up guidelines to compare, evaluate, and decide. There are various philosophies and without principles based on knowledge and experience one cannot make the right selection. How can we deal with those who constantly change their minds? Can one be a dependable, reliable, and trustworthy person without having noble and firm principles?
What are one’s CONVICTIONS? Convictions are those principles, knowledge, or direction that a person is sure about and for him or her they are good and important even to the extent that he or she is willing to make sacrifice for them.
At this point we should add what we know for sure: a person is helped to acquire right convictions by having faith in God and adhere to his or her religious teachings? We are sure that our belief and faith are fundamental for one’s positive convictions based on sound philosophy and high principles. What were Jesus’ and the apostles’ convictions and how had they adhered to them even amidst danger and persecution?
Here is the diadem of our convictions; the Bible is right saying: “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.