Zigzag Self-focus

Ambitious people want to be at the top, the best in their field. We watch the NHL playoffs and note the glee of the team winners. Writers vie for the Booker or a Pulitzer, artists want the Nomura or National Medal, NFL players want to win the Super Bowl MVP and on it goes. I’ve had various ambitions too, yet learn that no matter how well I do, there is always someone who does it better.

The Bible says a few things about personal ambition, mainly that if it is of the flesh, such ambition is evil, but if it is a Holy Spirit gift, God will use it in mighty ways.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. (James 3:13–16)

This type of ambition is boastful, prone to dishonesty, causes strife and all sorts of problems, such as church splits in the spiritual realm and crimes of all kinds in society.

Paul writes to believers that we have the mind of Christ and for that reason, we are to “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)

He was a wonderful example of the right kind of ambition. In Romans 15:19-20, he said, “By the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God . . . I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation.” His desire was to tell others about Christ, and yet he would not barge in to another’s ministry. He was skilled and known, yet avoided ‘pulling rank’ and was willing to let others shine.

Some call this “playing second fiddle” which is an expression that comes from the prestige given in an orchestra to the lead violinist that lowers those next to that performer as somehow less, even if they are serving to make that first fiddle player as good as can be. It’s a plus to be a second fiddle who can encourage others to achieve their personal best rather than promote themselves.

Paul went the second mile on this. When he was put in prison in Philippi, others carried on. He wrote of them:

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice. (Philippians 1:15–18)

I’m convicted of these verses. Sometimes I have an inner pleasure at figuring out a tough doctrine when others don’t get it, as if I were somehow better. This is nonsense. Paul wrote to the immature believers in Corinth who boasted:

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? (1 Corinthians 4:6–7)

PRAY: Jesus, nothing I have is my own doing. All good things are gifts from You. Personal ambition did not achieve them and never can elevate me. As James says, such thinking is vile and causes disorder. Thus far, You have protected me from horrid results of my spiritual pride. Lest I dishonor You, cleanse all such thinking from me. I know the Holy Spirit desires that I want others to become more like You. Enable me to focus more on that than on my own successes, always aware that any selfish  ambition is a dangerous thing. I thank You for all the faithful servants in our church. May I encourage them rather than pat myself on the back.

And thank You for blessing me when my attitude swings the other way and I lose any desire to serve You or begin thinking that my life is worthless. Deliver me from self-centeredness that so easily sends me tipping in either direction; both pride and self-pity are foolish because my focus is on me instead of You.

READ: Philippians 3:2-14. What was Paul’s focus? What was not?

 

 

 

Proclaiming Christ

As a follower of Jesus Christ, a major goal is to glorify Him instead of being one of those people whose sole topic of conversation is me, myself, and I. The Word of God gives me examples, such as the Apostle Paul who said:

“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Corinthians 4:5)

In parts of his letters to the church at Corinth, Paul did talk about himself, but with great reluctance. His concern for them and for all Christians is that we don’t make too much of our God-given blessings and become conceited thinking that we can do anything apart from Jesus:

“I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (1 Corinthians 4:6–7)

God knows our human tendency to worship all the wrong things, especially to exalt people instead of the God who created them, and who gave them the qualities that we admire. Even the Apostle John had a problem with putting his worship in the wrong person. He was given a revelation of Jesus Christ and although he heard the proclamation to worship God, this problem showed up:

“And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, ‘Amen. Hallelujah!’ And from the throne came a voice saying, ‘Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.’ Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure’— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the true words of God.’ Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.’ For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:4–10)

Jesus gave another example of putting our worship aright when He described to the disciples the work of the Holy Spirit:

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:13–15)

I have a friend who used to talk all the time about the Holy Spirit. She made much of His work and the necessity to depend on Him, but Jesus said the Holy Spirit will glorify Him, not Himself. Today’s devotional writer goes farther by saying that those who preach the Holy Spirit and ignore Christ do not have the Holy Spirit. This is not to say we ignore the Spirit for He is our Helper and Teacher, and our communication with the Lord in prayer. However, Christ is preeminent.

Here is one more example. Much exhortation is given in many passages concerning the preeminence of Jesus Christ. This clearly indicates that He is to be the focus of my thoughts, words, and actions. I am here to glorify Him.

“And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” (Colossians 1:18)

^^^^^^^

Dear Jesus, how many times have I ignored You, or praised people overmuch for Your gifts to them, or patted myself on the back for something You did in me? I bow my head in shame and humility, asking for forgiveness and also the attitude change that is needed to change me so that my worship is for You, only You.