June 9, 2020 CAC Living Water Devotional :- SELFISH AMBITION
Read previous CAC Living Water Devotionals here
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
THE LIVING WATER {Jan ~ June, 2020}
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
TOPIC: SELFISH AMBITION
Read Philippians 2:1-3
[1]If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,[2]Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.[3]Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
MEMORISE: Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself (Philippians 2:3)
EXPOSITION
Ambition is that “intense drive for success or power; a desire to achieve honour, wealth or fame.” To be ambitious, in the worldly sense, is essentially, to be determined to have more than your neighbour. Selfish ambition can be understood as motivation to elevate oneself or put one’s own interests before and above others’. Conceit means “excessive pride”, or self-esteem that has no foundation in reality; an elevated and incorrect sense of value. Therefore, doing nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit means letting our actions be not motivated by selfishness, pride, or one-man ship.
Being ambitious, in and of itself, is not wrong. It’s what we esteem or honour that can be a problem. The Bible teaches that we should be ambitious, yet the objective is to be accepted by Christ, not by the world. Christ teaches that to be first in His Kingdom is to become a servant (Matt. 20:26-28; 23:11-12).
Selfish ambition is seeking success in the things of the world, most especially at the expense or to the detriment of others, and competing with people of the world. It can ruin any family, church, or community, but genuine humility builds. Being humble involves having true perspective about ourselves and others (Rom. 12:3). Considering others’ interests as important as ours links us with Christ, our true example of humility, selfishness and sacrificial living. ‘Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others’ (Phil. 2:4).
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord Jesus, please deliver me from the spirit of over-ambition.
2. Lord Jesus, give me the spirit of humility, to consider others’ interest as important as mine.
3. Pray for the spirit of selfless leadership to fall on all our leaders at home, in church, in the traditional settings, and the society at large.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 2 Kings 23 – 24 & Galatians 5
Author: C.A.C WORLDWIDE
Remain blessed!