Promotion:  How is this best achieved?

There are those who fail to see that the whole Bible has everyday practical value.  If they thought otherwise, they’d read it often.  The principles in this article don’t pertain to only people in this age of grace but to people in any and every generation.  Certainly, the most important thing of all in studying the Bible is to be sure you’re going to end up in this wonderful place called Heaven.  You won’t have to read many articles or watch many videos on this website to get many of your questions answered about all that. If you’ll accept the provision God has made for your salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, that time will come when physical death or what’s called the Rapture will be what amounts to being the greatest of all “promotions” in your life. 

2 Corinthians 5:21

²¹ For he [God the Father] hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [Emphasis added]

If you’ve accepted the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the sole basis for your salvation, you’re home and your citizenship is already now in Heaven.  You’re not there yet bodily, but someday you’ll get “promoted” and get to live there in a perfect body forever.

Philippians 3:20-21

²⁰ For our conversation [POLITEUO = citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

²¹ Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. [Emphasis added]

People you know who died having accepted God’s provision for their salvation have definitely moved on to “a better place” the Bible calls Heaven.  I have several articles about that on this website that I hope you’ll read sometime.  Here are the names and links to several of them—

Death:  Have they gone on to a better place?

Heaven:  What do we need to know about it?

Heaven:  What will it be like?

A believer’s earthly citizenship was somewhere here on Earth before they died, but from the time they were saved they’ve had a heavenly citizenship that’s far more important than the one they’ve had here.  Getting to move there will be like no other “promotion” they ever had here on Earth.  Therefore, it is something not to be feared but eagerly anticipated.

Now let’s look at some things regarding these “promotions” we may enjoy while we’re still living here on Earth.  As we do this let me just say that how these “promotion” blessings materialize will vary from person to person.  The specifics about these temporal “promotions” are not specified and guaranteed in Scripture.  But the principles I’ve listed will tend to lead anyone to various promotions in this life now on Earth.  I even know from my own experience that they work because my wife and I were steadily promoted in the direct sales company we were a part of for many years.  So, these principles will work for anyone who consistently applies the principles.

1—Make learning & applying the Word of God your TOP priority!

You just can’t go wrong by doing this.  It becomes a solid foundation for all that’ll you’ll ever do.  God’s people are always prone to do best with every aspect of life when they apply these principles.  First on this list is the fact that we’ve all been commanded to be serious students of God’s word.  Diligently studying your Bible is always the best thing you can do with a portion of the time you have to live here on Earth.

2 Timothy 2:15

¹⁵ Study [SPOUDAZO = Be diligent] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [Emphasis added]

Only by understanding this verse and complying with it can one do this accurately and acceptably.  For some help with that, please see my articles about it—

Bible:  How important is it to you?

Bible:  Do you have time to study it?

Your Bible is the most precious book you’ll ever hold in your hands.  It holds the key to a truly successful life, one that really can’t be had apart from it.  The first step in understanding it comes when you realize the value of the truths a Bible holds.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God [THEOPNEUSTOS = God-breathed], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect [ARTIOS = complete or mature], thoroughly furnished unto all good works. [Emphasis added]

Therefore, the best of promotions coincide with one’s growth in understanding and applying the word of God.  But because you can’t apply what you don’t know, you don’t need to delay in becoming a serious student of the Bible.  Your goal is to be filled with the wisdom of God’s word.

Ephesians 5:18

¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; [Emphasis added]

The apostle Paul tells us the same thing in other words.

Colossians 3:16-17

¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. [Emphasis added]

But this has always been something God’s people needed to realize.

Proverbs 4:7-8

⁷ Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

⁸ Exalt her, and she shall PROMOTE thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. [Emphasis added]

2—Maintain a positive and thankful attitude!

As an old saying states it, always realize that your attitude more than your aptitude is going to do the most to determine your altitude.  Also, attitudes are contagious, so work at spreading a good one.  A big part of that is in choosing to be a thankful person.  Literally everyone has things for which they can be thankful.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. [Emphasis added]

As I’ve said for so many years, attitude is everything! And choosing to have a positive and thankful one is absolutely necessary for promotions.  Many people are familiar with the old Chuck Swindoll quote about this.  I’ve had a version of it framed and on a wall in my office for many years.

“We have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for the day.  Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.  Our attitude is everything.”

Attitude is first of all a decision.  It is a choice on our part.  But our attitude will be affected by the things we’ve chosen to learn and believe.  To me, one of the strongest statements in Scripture about it is this one—

Romans 8:28

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. [Emphasis added]

A major problem with that verse as it is translated in the King James Version of the Bible is in making “all things” the subject.  That’s not how it reads in the Greek text of that verse in the Bible.   Therefore, that’s not what the apostle had in mind when he wrote this.  What he said was that it is GOD who works all things together for good for those who love Him.  “ALL THINGS” are incapable of doing anything in all this! But there isn’t anything that God can’t do.  There’s another verse that is similar to this one in Romans 8:28—

Ephesians 1:11

¹¹ In [the proposition EN = in or BY] whom [speaking of God] also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: [Emphasis added]

That verse isn’t telling us we were preselected of God for salvation, but the blessing we’d have if we accepted God’s provision for it.  If you want more information about that, please see my article about it—

Calvinism:  Who decides who is going to Heaven?

When you look at what’s happening in your life and relate the principle of these two verses to it, your attitude will definitely be affected in a positive way.  It simply means every believer has a lot to look forward to enjoying forever.  That kind of thinking can’t help but bring joy and an attitude of thanksgiving into your life.

3—Maintain a teachable spirit!

As I said concerning maintaining a positive attitude, there are principles of truth you need to know to draw the right conclusions about what’s happening in your life.  That demands a teachable spirit on your part.  Those who build a reputation for being “a know it all” don’t do well in life.  Learning demands changes in one’s thinking.  People who choose to be inflexible in their thinking don’t do well at this.

Proverbs 1:5

⁵ A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: [Emphasis added]

But if you will heed the warnings and make yourself a student of Scripture with a view toward applying everything you should, you will do a whole lot better than you would have otherwise, especially with promotions and in the rewards you will get to enjoy in Heaven.  Just know that there’s really no such thing as equality among people here and there won’t be in Heaven either.  God’s rewards for us will be different in degrees and more for all of us.  Maintaining a teachable spirit and being one that’s eager to learn will certainly have a lot to do with the progress we make in spiritual growth and the attainment of promotions.

4—Treat others the way we want to be treated!

This is one of the most important principles of all in building sound and lasting relationships with people.  Just work at making a habit of treating people the same way you would like everyone to treat you.  That’s all there is to it.  But what a wonderful difference this will make in how you are viewed by others!

Matthew 22:35-40

³⁵ Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

³⁶ Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

³⁷ Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

³⁸ This is the first and great commandment.

³⁹ And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. [Emphasis added]

It is when God sees these traits in us that we become candidates for promotion.

An even stronger principle on this is found in this next passage.  Are you familiar with how God has treated you? Hasn’t it been on the basis of grace rather than your works of righteousness? Why not treat others that way.

John 13:34-35

³⁴ A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; AS I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

³⁵ By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples [students], if ye love one to another. [Emphasis added]

Truly many people don’t seem to be all that lovable.  But this love, spoken of in the Bible as AGAPE love is IMpersonal in that it doesn’t depend on the attributes of its object.  It depends on yours, the subject!  It is in this manner that we’re to love everyone even as God does.

John 3:16-17

¹⁶ For God so loved [AGAPE] the world [KOSMOS = world], that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. [Emphasis added]

What could be clearer than that? This means anyone in the world can be saved.  They just need to know and believe what Jesus Christ accomplished for them through His death, burial, and resurrection.  Jesus Christ gave His life for all these people.  What will you do for those who are a part of your world?

Romans 5:6-8

⁶ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

This word “ungodly” represents every unbeliever.

⁷ For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [Emphasis added]

We can demonstrate our love for people best by telling them the good news about God’s provision of a savior for them.  If they’ll simply accept what He did for them, they’ll be saved and someday get to enjoy Heaven forever.

5—Choose to live a disciplined life!

You can’t afford to go through life just doing what you feel like doing.

1 Corinthians 9:26-27

²⁶ I therefore so run, not as uncertainly [ADELOS = indistinctly]; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air [shadow boxing]:

²⁷ But I keep under [HUPOPIAZO = lit. to strike under the eye (a term used for disciplining oneself or forcing] my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway [ADOKIMOS = not standing the test, rejected]. [Emphasis added]

6—Be selective about who you choose as friends!

It is true that you’ll tend to be known by the company you keep.  As my dad used to say, “If you sleep with the dogs, you’ll have fleas”. You can and should be friendly with everyone but you’re going to have to make some important decisions about who you “get close to.” In other words, again, you need to be selective about your friendships.  You want to be closely associated with only those who will contribute to your spiritual growth, rather than pull you down.  What I’m talking about is the principle of separation, something else the apostle Paul warned us about.  We are commanded to separate ourselves from all those who hinder our spiritual growth!

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

⁶ Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

Yes, separate yourself from people who live an undisciplined life and serve to only be a distraction to your own spiritual growth and welfare.

⁷ For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly [ATAKTEO = out of rank, out of one’s place, in an undisciplined fashion] among you;

⁸ Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

⁹ Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

¹⁰ For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

For more information about this statement, please see my article about this—

Poverty:  Will the war against it ever be won?

¹¹ For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

¹² Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

¹³ But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

¹⁴ And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

¹⁵ Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. [Emphasis added]

Therefore, friendships can be a help or a liability.  Choose the company you keep wisely!

7—Do everything with excellence as unto our Lord!

One of my favorite sayings is this—”If you don’t have time to do it right the first time, where are you going to find time to do it over?”

Doesn’t the Bible tell us something like that? It certainly does!

Colossians 3:16-17

¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. [Emphasis added]

This is just another way of saying to put your heart into the things you do.  No matter what you’re doing, do it as though you were doing it to please your Savior because you are.  If you’re not pleasing Him in the things you do, it doesn’t serve as a contribution to your life for promotions from Him.

8—Develop genuine humility!

Another one of the most basic principles of life is to learn to do as you’re told.  Maintain a submissive and humble spirit with all those who are your authorities.

Ephesians 5:21

²¹ Submitting [HUPOTASSO = submit] yourselves one to another in the fear of God. [Emphasis added]

In that same passage you’ll find other areas of life where you need to be submissive and respectful to those over you.

Ephesians 5:22

²² Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. [Emphasis added]

Unfortunately, that “S-word” is repugnant to many wives.  But it is the only way they’ll be a mate that honors God through that relationship.  This verse provides a command, not just a suggestion.

Believe it or not, your attitude toward your authorities in life is reflective of your attitude toward God.  Only by getting this right will you be promoted by Him.

James 4:10

¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and HE shall lift you up. [Emphasis added]

1 Peter 5:6

⁶ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that HE may exalt you in due time: [Emphasis added]

The apostle Paul also speaks out about this.

Romans 13:1-4

¹ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

² Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

⁴ For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. [Emphasis added]

There are many areas of life where this is applicable.  “Selective submission” is never acceptable or rewarded by God.  Genuine humility is what God expects of each of us ongoing.

9—Make yourself a servant to all!

Anytime anyone ever called the home office my wife and I worked with for so many years, here are the words they’d hear—

“Premier Designs, how may I serve you?” This represents a biblical principle needed in every conversation.  Promotions demand it!

Matthew 18:1-4

¹ At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

² And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

³ And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

⁴ Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. [Emphasis added]

Matthew 20:26-27

²⁶ But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

²⁷ And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: [Emphasis added]

Matthew 23:11-12

¹¹ But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant [DIAKONOS = servant (where we get the word deacon).

¹² And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. [Emphasis added]

10—Acknowledge the sovereignty of God by praying diligently!

To have the proper balance on this, you need to pray like all promotions depend on God but work like they all depend on you.  On the divine side of this, there’s lots of Scripture for it.

Daniel 2:20-21

²⁰ Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:

²¹ And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: [Emphasis added]

Daniel 4:35

³⁵ And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? [Emphasis added]

Psalm 75:6-7

⁶ For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.

⁷ But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. [Emphasis added]

It is God who is the absolute ruler of all creation.  We are told that to a degree Satan is the ruler of this world working to keep people from believing the gospel message even though God can overrule anything he desires to do.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4

³ But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

⁴ In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. [Emphasis added]

Satan is surely a powerful creature but unlike God he has his limitations.  God will not allow him to keep you from the spiritual blessings you have in salvation.  However, he and his organization of demons [other fallen angels] may be given permission to affect your life materially and in temporal things.  We have a great illustration of that in the Bible with the life of the man called Job [Job 1-42].  Note also what God promised the people of Israel in a former time.

Deuteronomy 28:1-2 & 6-8

¹ And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

² And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. [Emphasis added]

This whole chapter deals with these promises God made to Israel.  Such material promises are not made to us today as some believe.  For more information about this, please read my book about this and much more.  You can order it through our website.

22 Key Promises You Can Count On

Deuteronomy 28 continued

⁶ Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

This was a phrase used to refer to every aspect of one’s life.

⁷ The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

⁸ The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto [being specifically addressed to Israel in a former time]; and he shall bless thee in the land [speaking of Israel, not us today] which the Lord thy God giveth thee. [Emphasis added]

Logistically God certainly meets our needs for us to perform His will.  But that which has come to be called “the prosperity gospel” gives people a false hope.  Some of the most mature believers you’ll ever meet will not be materially wealthy people.  However, that’s not to say there’s something spiritual about being broke and in poverty or, on the other hand, being materially prosperous.  A perfect example of this is the apostle, Paul.  A greater believer never lived.  There were times in his life as a mature believer when he was wealthy and other times when he was not.

Philippians 4:9-20

⁹ Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

¹¹ Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

¹² I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Please note that it is in this context that we find this next statement.  So often this verse is taken out of its context and made to say something different that is not correct.

¹³ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

¹⁴ Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

¹⁵ Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

¹⁷ Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

¹⁸ But I [Paul] have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

¹⁹ But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

²⁰ Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. [Emphasis added]

Just always realize that there can be a big difference between someone’s needs, and someone’s wants.  The promise here addresses NEEDS, not wants!

11—Work diligently with patience!

Another one of my favorite sayings is this one—”All things come to those who hustle while they wait.” Another one of my all-time favorite sayings is this one.  I even have a sign on my desk-top that states it— “Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in work clothes.”  Still another one that’s related is this one— “Your business won’t work if you won’t!” I’ve quoted these statements many times in front of many people I was trying to help with their business.  Hard work, which is primarily mental work, is another absolute necessity for promotions and overall success.  Sometimes progress and promotions seem to move at a snail’s pace, but such is simply the way it is.  It all takes time, work, and lots of patience.

Proverbs 6:6-11

⁶ Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

⁷ Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

⁸ Provideth her meat [food] in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

⁹ How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

¹⁰ Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

¹¹ So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth [a hobo], and thy want as an armed man [one who lives is desperate circumstances]. [Emphasis added]

WORK never needs to be seen as a “four letter word” in your life.  It is definitely not to be avoided.  Working diligently and smart can lead to some of the greatest of all promotions.

II Thessalonians 3:13

¹³ But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. [Emphasis added]

Never give up on your dreams!

12—Live your life in light of eternity!

We all need to realize that life here on Earth is short in comparison to all eternity that follows.  One moment after you die, you’ll find out what’s on the other side. What so many don’t seem to realize is that our status then is being determined now by our decisions.  Every decision we make as believers counts for the rewards we’ll receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ as believers.  Realizing this needs to be ongoing in your thinking.

2 Corinthians 5:10

¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. [Emphasis added]

How well do you suppose you’ll do on that occasion? If you’ve accepted Christ as your Savior in your lifetime, it is certain that you’ll be there.  If there’s any event in your life that you’ve ever prepared for, this is the one that’s most important.

1 Corinthians 3:13-15

¹³ Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

¹⁴ If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

¹⁵ If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. [Emphasis added]

Again, there’s nothing that exceeds the importance of being prepared for this coming event.  You’ll be then well compensated for whatever you invest in this in time, money, energy, possessions, and more.  So, give it your best! You only have one lifetime to qualify for it.

Conclusion—

It will be you who will be responsible more than anyone else for the promotions you get and don’t get.  Today is the first day of the rest of your life.  Make the best of every one you have left.  Time is precious! Treat it that way! The apostle Paul mentions this in two of his epistles—

Ephesians 5:15-17

¹⁵ See then that ye walk circumspectly [AKRIBOS = accurately, guarding every decision], not as fools, but as wise,

¹⁶ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

¹⁷ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. [Emphasis added]

Colossians 4:5

⁵ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. [Emphasis added]

This is an article I hope you’ll review often.  We all need reminders about the principles we need to be knowing and applying habitually.