For some Christians, the word "ambition" has a negative tone. And yet, we are called to be people who "run in such a way as to get the prize" and "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called.."(Philippians 3:14) Sounds pretty ambitious if you ask me. But what is the end game? What exactly is the prize that we are to be seeking? The book of Philippians says that the goal is "to know Christ."
Godly ambition aims to know and follow Christ, not just at church, but in the workplace as well. Since He is God over our whole lives, we can make it our goal to know Him more and live for His glory wherever we are.
Godly ambition is also characterized by concern for the welfare of the others around us. As we grow in knowing Christ, we will develop a passion for God and His redemptive purposes for the world. Like Jesus, we are called to look not only to our own interests, but also the interests of others:
"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from Him love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being likeminded, having the same love, being on in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Philippians 2:1-4
"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ." Philippians 3:7-8
Godly ambition aims to know and follow Christ, not just at church, but in the workplace as well. Since He is God over our whole lives, we can make it our goal to know Him more and live for His glory wherever we are.
Godly ambition is also characterized by concern for the welfare of the others around us. As we grow in knowing Christ, we will develop a passion for God and His redemptive purposes for the world. Like Jesus, we are called to look not only to our own interests, but also the interests of others:
"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from Him love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being likeminded, having the same love, being on in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Philippians 2:1-4
"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ." Philippians 3:7-8
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