The Simple Rule of Godly and Successful Living

Kenny’s father passed away when he was just seven years old. With money being tight, his mom, who was deeply devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, worked tirelessly to provide for their family. Despite her faith, Kenny had little interest in it as a child. Sunday school felt like a chore to him, and as he grew into adulthood, not much changed.

At that time, there were seven of them living in a cramped two-bedroom apartment. As the middle child, Kenny frequently clashed with his siblings, except for his younger brother, Peter. The apartment was frequently filled with the sounds of fighting and yelling, with Kenny usually being the main instigator. Although he had a playful side, he could also be very vengeful. If things didn’t go his way, he’d throw his brother’s toy trucks out the window or smash them in frustration. Despite his love for his mom and Peter, Kenny’s temper frequently caused tension and turmoil throughout the household.

When Kenny was twenty-one, and Peter was nineteen, they both fell for the same young woman. Kenny met her first while picking up his mom from Bible Study. Peter, equally devoted to the Lord as their mother, noticed her at church. When she began spending time with Peter, Kenny’s jealousy flared up. He treated Peter horribly, leaving his younger brother confused and hurt. It’s been over ten years since that conflict, and while Peter is now happily married to someone else, Kenny still harbors a grudge from that time.

Kenny’s life has been a cycle of letting bitterness take root and mess with his head. He’s incredibly smart and always lands impressive jobs, but his attitude keeps him from holding onto them for long. Instead of owning up to his role in the chaos, he’s quick to blame everyone else, including God, for his inability to get a grip on life.

He’s got this habit of pointing fingers at his job, his colleagues, and even our Heavenly Father whenever things go sideways. Kenny’s bitterness and blame game have become a constant, keeping him stuck in a loop where he can’t build a stable life or find real satisfaction. His choices have him trapped in a cycle of instability, making it hard for him to truly settle down and succeed.

We’d like to think that we’re incredibly complex individuals, but God actually created us to live simply by following the straightforward guidelines He’s laid out. Jesus Christ puts it very plainly in Mark 12:29-31 (NLT): “The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. 30 And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' 31 The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these.” God also speaks through the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:32 (NLT), saying, “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” And in Luke 6:31 (NLT), Jesus Christ teaches us the simple rule of Godly and successful living, “Do to others as you would like them to do to you.”

It’s not complicated. God keeps it simple. We need to embed His Word in our hearts and live it out every day. This is the key to finding true fulfillment and contentment. Ephesians 4:31 advises us to rid ourselves of bitterness, wrath, and anger, as these negative emotions weigh us down and can harm our emotional and mental well-being.

James 3:14-18 (NLT) explains why: “14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”

Kenny's life could serve as a powerful example of how embracing these simple, yet profound, guidelines could lead to real fulfillment. If he were to fully accept the love of Jesus Christ and practice the truth by loving God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving his neighbor as himself, he would find a way out of his ongoing bitterness and frustration. By focusing on kindness, forgiveness, and the wisdom that comes from above, Kenny could shift from his current cycle of blame and anger to one of peace and contentment.

Letting go of grudges and negative emotions, and instead embracing the purity and gentleness described in James 3:17 (NLT), could transform Kenny's life. By becoming a peacemaker and living according to God’s wisdom, he would be planting seeds of peace and reaping a harvest of righteousness. This shift could lead Kenny to a more fulfilling and joyful life, grounded in the true contentment that comes from aligning his actions with God’s simple, yet powerful, Words.■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“The Simple Rule of Godly and Successful Living”,  written for Springfield Fellowship © 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.