Okay To Be Ambitious?
Opening Prayer
Pray for God to help you purify your aspirations and redirect them to what he has in mind for you.
Read 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
[17] Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. [18] Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. [19] Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. [20] Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. [21] Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you-although if you can gain your freedom, do so. [22] For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. [23] You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. [24] Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What does Paul say about living as a believer?God gives us gifts and expects us to use them. For some of us, this gifting brings us into roles of significance, while for others it might feel like we are always in the background. Some of us are haunted by comments from teachers or even parents who told us that we “could do better” or that they were disappointed in us. Maybe, in a moment of rashness, we have even said this to someone ourselves. The immediate context of today’s verses may not resonate with us directly. Should an uncircumcised Gentile man be circumcised in order to follow Jewish law? Are slaves second-class citizens in the kingdom of God? Yet Paul has words of caution for us in the midst of a world that judges us by what we do rather than who we are. Simply put, God loves us where we are (17), and all he desires is for us to follow him and his way (19). While it is perfectly acceptable to aspire toward a better status in life (21), this shouldn’t become our driving desire. Otherwise, we will follow the ways of the world and not God (23).
Apply
How ambitious are you? Where has your ambition led you in life–or where might it lead?
Closing prayer
Dear God, help me to know that You love me for who I am. Help me to grow into the person You want me to be.
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