During Paul's time his situation was a little different when it came to ambition in being in service to God. In his time, church leaders faced dangers and huge responsibilities with severe consequences (1 Timothy 3:1-7). Churches today are being affected by government control persecuting Christians. Communism runs throughout China restricting Christianity. Many of the Chinese people are yearning for the word of God and are meeting in secret to avoid persecution. There is a price to pay to be a Christian. Are you willing to pay that price? The Newsboys, a contemporary Christian group just released a song here recently called "Guilty." Below is an excerpt from the lyrics of this song.
When did it become breaking a rule
To say your name out loud in school
When your names the only one that sets us free When did it become incorrect
To speak the truth about life and death
When your life gave us all eternity
Even if it gets me convicted
I’ll still be on my knees with my hands lifted
If serving you’s against the law of man
If living out my faith in you is banned
Then I’ll stand right before the jury
If saying I believe is out of line
If I’m judged cause I’m gonna give my life
To show the world the love that fills me
Then I want to be Guilty
* * *
Reflection
A. How would you illustrate the differences between self-centered and God-centered ambition from your own life?
My own story has went to both scenarios. As I stated in the introduction to this book and Bible study. I am just a sinner saved by Grace. I make many mistakes and sin daily, but when I can get myself focused toward the God-centered ambition it is amazing how much different my life feels.
B. Who has been your most influential example of Godly leadership?
When reflecting on the most influential example of Godly leadership brings a tear to my eye. I think of my grandpa who passed away from cancer my second year of college. I remember as a child my parents loading me and my brother into the car and heading to grannies for the weekend. I absolutely loved these trip because I loved going to Church with my grandparents. My Aunts would run the children's Sunday School, my mom would play the piano and my grandpa would deliver the message. I never realized just how impactful his words were until I came back to Jesus. Grandpa also loved singing music. The one song that has strong sentimental value that I relate to him is the hymn "In the Garden." Every time I hear it I become overwhelmed with thoughts of him.
C. What are some areas of honorable/holy ambition in your life?
Many that know me knows that I like to sing in Church and play guitar. For a long time I would only sing Southern Gospel music. Within the last 4 years since I have met my wife I can now officially say I sing both styles of music Southern Gospel and Contemporary Christian. I consider running this blog as both an honorable and holy ambition. I have been through a lot in my life, more than my fair share, but focusing on strengthening my relationship with Christ and sharing the word of God along the way, if even one persons life is influenced by what I share my ambition would be complete.
Feel free to comment below on anything that I have talked about whether it be something I missed in the reading, to sharing your story, to disagreeing with me, please let your voice be heard. If you cannot find the comment box, please click on the title of the entry.
Chapter 2 is very short but full of information. As we learned in the last chapter, having ambition is encouraged when God is the focus instead of personal ambition. The real question is the WHY. There are many out in the world proclaiming God's word for their own gains. There are many warnings in the Bible of false prophets (1 John 4:1-6, 2 Peter 2:1, Matthew 7:15, Deuteronomy 18:20-22 and Revelation 2:2) are a few passages. I'm sure we have all ran into these individuals.
As you read chapter 2, keep these questions in your mind.
1. Why are spiritual leaders of the kind we see in the Scriptures in such short supply today?
2. How do the leadership qualities admired in the business world compare to the qualities required for spiritual leaders? (Mark 10:41-45)
I tend to agree with what is being said here. I proclaim guilt in being one of Christ's myself, taken from the miry clay of my past (like David speaks of in Psalms 40).
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to this God-centered ambition, I feel like we can not forget that alone, we can not seek God. (See Romans 3:11). We must be saved, and born again: grafted into the family of God (Romans 11:17).
After that, we need to keep that in mind, and realize that the Holy Spirit is what guides a true believer, and helps us determine our talents (1 Corinthians 7 - 11).
That said, even a saved individual still has something to do before seeking to lead.
This is found in 2 Timothy:
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
By doing this, you will discover your responsibilities as a child of God, how to take ownership of those responsibilities, and I believe you can begin to lead when you are grounded in the word of God. Without this, I think even the most well-intentioned leaders will work contrary to God.
I completely agree with you
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