Seeking to promote yourself at the expense of others is inconsistent with Christian character. However, that attitude can sadly be found within the professing Church: ‘. . . Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first’ (3 John 1:9). If we are honest, that tendency to desire the admiration of others lies within each of our hearts. However, what would it look like to be godly in our ambitions? Is it possible to speak of “spiritual ambition”? Let me suggest that it is.
When I was a teenager, a missionary who had returned home from the field to Inverness, my hometown, pointed out this verse to me: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3 ESV). What he said has stayed with me. He showed me that this verse is both a huge comfort and a profound challenge.
It is a comfort because it assures me that if I truly desire to live a life of godliness then God has already provided everything I require. This promise applies to all believers in all places. In the western world we have almost limitless Bible study resources, but the verse gives the same guarantee to believers in those parts of our world with almost none. How can this be? The verse explains that this provision is found in God Himself: “through the knowledge of him who called us”.
However, looked at another way, the verse presents a deeply searching challenge. If we are not making spiritual progress, then it cannot be God’s fault. He has given us, in the knowledge of Himself, everything we need to live a godly life. Therefore, if we are not growing in godliness, we cannot blame a lack of resources or our churches or even our circumstances. The questions I must ask my own heart are: Do I desire to live a godly life? Do I have spiritual ambition?
The Scriptures are clear that contentment is a spiritual virtue: “godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8 ESV). How essential it is to be satisfied with what the Lord has provided for us materially. On an even greater level, what a privilege to be content in Christ Himself: “whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again” (John 4:14 ESV). However, there is a form of contentment that is spiritually dangerous.
When someone is born again, there is often a period of joyful, enthusiastic growth. Suddenly there are new desires: to absorb and obey the Scriptures, to spend time with other believers, to sing His praise, and to tell others about Him! As maturity develops, this new life begins to take on the regular rhythms of spiritual discipline: daily devotions, church commitments, prayer life, etc. However, there is the danger of the spiritual plateau. We can become content with our walk with the Lord. We are having our daily quiet time, turning up at the church meetings, and doing dutifully those things that other Christians expect of us. Perhaps we even stop noticing that we are not making progress, content with where we are. If this is where we find ourselves, the question is: isn’t there more than this?
The Lord Himself made this statement in His “sermon on the mount”: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6 ESV). Am I hungry and thirsty for righteousness or am I content with the way things are? If we are genuinely longing for godliness, this is another commitment from God that He will not withhold that from us. Again, James reminds us of a wonderful principle: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). These verses supply us with the guarantee of heaven. If we desire godliness, righteousness, and nearness to God, these desires will be fulfilled.
Do you have spiritual ambition? If you do, you can praise the Lord for these promises. But what if the hunger has gone and you are on the plateau? Recognising it is the first step. Then be honest before God and plead with Him to reignite the fires of desire for Him. As you do that, these same promises assure you that He will answer and He will draw near.
Note: This article originally appeared in First, the magazine of The Faith Mission.
