Philippians 1:17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

James 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

James 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

The ESV uses the term selfish ambition four times in scripture. These four verses paint a picture of what selfish ambition looks like in a church.

It attacks leadership, humiliates others, is arrogant, and is disruptive. Breaking down selfish ambition to its component parts allows us to see that God is not allowed to work through those who act in that manner.

At one time in my Christian walk a wise elder once told me “Let go and let God.” I instinctively understood what he meant but the how escaped me. Over time I realized my selfish ambition was my own stumbling block in walking in God’s will.

That is a sad confession but true. I wanted attention. I didn’t care what others thought. I felt superior in the way I operated. I was not gracious. I was immature and what I was in the world, I brought to church. I had been a rebellious teenager.

Worldly attitudes may cause you to survive in the world but in the body of Christ those need to be killed. I had to let go and let God.

In order to walk in God’s will, we must let go of every aspect of selfish ambition. In order to do that we must examine our behavior and confess which aspect of selfish ambition exists in us.

John 10:27 English Standard Version (ESV) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Matthew 7:21-23 English Standard Version (ESV)

I Never Knew You

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ ²³ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

It is better to be known than to know.

The protest of Matthew 7:22 declare that many know Jesus based on declaring His name. We might call them “christians in name only”. What they lack is the indwelling presence of God.

John 14:23 English Standard Version (ESV) Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

He knows us because He abides with us. If we look to our works as proof of that indwelling we are deceiving ourselves. God is able to work His will apart from His indwelling presence. The name of His Son has been invoked and God will not allow His Son to be put to shame. In order for those miracles to be perform there had to have been someone present that needed God’s will to be done.

Even with those of us that have the indwelling, His will is still paramount.

Philippians 2:13 English Standard Version (ESV) for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

God uses us, we do not use God.