A businessperson explained that there are three keys to success.

1. Professional Skills

2. Social Skills

3. Persistence

Then he went on to say that if you have numbers 2 and 3, you will do just as well or better than the person with only the first one. 

As I read his words, I could not help but reflect on faith.

If you want to make a difference as a believer, getting along with people through their ups and downs will enable you to have a successful Christian life. By that, I mean if you want to live for Jesus from your faith commitment till you meet him in Heaven, you will need the ability to deal with people and keep at it over a lifetime.

You will need perseverance to return to your faith through difficult seasons. Faith has grit. It requires staying power to move through all the seasons of life.

These traits may be more significant than even knowing the Bible.

Yes, I want you to know the Bible, but faith is also lived out in community. Learning to love others while you love Jesus is essential to faith. Then, when things get complicated with those people or in your personal life, you need to be willing to hang on tight and endure the rough waters.  

Number one is important, but people with numbers 2 and 3 will often do better than those with only the first one.