Jesus said that whosoever exalts himself shall be humbled and whosoever humbles himself shall be exalted (cf. Luke 14:11; Matt. 23:12). "...humility comes before honor" (Prov. 15:33). The Bible condemns selfish ambition, but not a spiritual Christ-oriented ambition in the Spirit. Go ahead, attempt great things for God and believe great things for God--our God is big enough for all of us and our ambitions.
The problem with spiritual ambition is accomplishing it in the right way. The brothers James and John thought that spiritual authority was theirs for the asking. We are to serve in God's kingdom as Christ did--as servants. "I have not come to be served, but to serve..." (Mark 10:45). We are not Christ's buddies or sidekicks, but His servants and fellow-laborers in His kingdom. John the Baptist had the right attitude when he enunciated: "He must increase, I must decrease." In God's economy, the way up is down (a paradox). True greatness is not in how many people serve you, but in how many people you serve.
Paul had something to say about exaltation in Philippians 2 where he depicts Christ's humiliation or kenosis [Greek for "emptying"] and subsequent exaltation. Christ was equal to God, yet could not fathom that, and humbled himself as a man, then as a servant, then went to die on a cross on our behalf though He did no wrong Himself. He was born in a manger of poor parents (there was no room at the inn), and lived life as an itinerant preacher and when He died owned nothing except the clothes on His back. He was exalted and glorified before birth as the Son of God, and He was shamed and humiliated by His ignominious death on a cross, meant for the worst of malefactors--not civilized people. Christ expects no more from us than He did of Himself. Our so-called crosses pale in comparison to His and His yoke is easy and His burden is light comparatively.
Peter said in 1 Peter 5:5 that "[God] opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." He goes on (v. 6) to affirm that we should humble ourselves, "that he may lift [us] up [exalt us] in due time." "If you play the fool and exalt yourself, or if you plan evil, clap your hand over your mouth! (Prov. 30:32). Or you are accused of speaking for God ex cathedra (to pontificate or speak from the chair literally) like the Pope does (we are not infallible, as he claims to be).
God knows our heart and who we are and has what is best in store for us if we simply trust and obey His Word. If Christ obliged himself to be humbled as a servant, to fulfill Scripture, how much more are we obliged. In conclusion, let others exalt us and let's not toot our own horn ("lift up your horn on high," says Psalm75:5a), and promote ourselves, or even praise ourselves, but let others do it.
Soli Deo Gloria!
The problem with spiritual ambition is accomplishing it in the right way. The brothers James and John thought that spiritual authority was theirs for the asking. We are to serve in God's kingdom as Christ did--as servants. "I have not come to be served, but to serve..." (Mark 10:45). We are not Christ's buddies or sidekicks, but His servants and fellow-laborers in His kingdom. John the Baptist had the right attitude when he enunciated: "He must increase, I must decrease." In God's economy, the way up is down (a paradox). True greatness is not in how many people serve you, but in how many people you serve.
Paul had something to say about exaltation in Philippians 2 where he depicts Christ's humiliation or kenosis [Greek for "emptying"] and subsequent exaltation. Christ was equal to God, yet could not fathom that, and humbled himself as a man, then as a servant, then went to die on a cross on our behalf though He did no wrong Himself. He was born in a manger of poor parents (there was no room at the inn), and lived life as an itinerant preacher and when He died owned nothing except the clothes on His back. He was exalted and glorified before birth as the Son of God, and He was shamed and humiliated by His ignominious death on a cross, meant for the worst of malefactors--not civilized people. Christ expects no more from us than He did of Himself. Our so-called crosses pale in comparison to His and His yoke is easy and His burden is light comparatively.
Peter said in 1 Peter 5:5 that "[God] opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." He goes on (v. 6) to affirm that we should humble ourselves, "that he may lift [us] up [exalt us] in due time." "If you play the fool and exalt yourself, or if you plan evil, clap your hand over your mouth! (Prov. 30:32). Or you are accused of speaking for God ex cathedra (to pontificate or speak from the chair literally) like the Pope does (we are not infallible, as he claims to be).
God knows our heart and who we are and has what is best in store for us if we simply trust and obey His Word. If Christ obliged himself to be humbled as a servant, to fulfill Scripture, how much more are we obliged. In conclusion, let others exalt us and let's not toot our own horn ("lift up your horn on high," says Psalm75:5a), and promote ourselves, or even praise ourselves, but let others do it.
Soli Deo Gloria!