Topic: Inordinate Ambition [Sunday September 6, 2015]
Text: Mark 10:35-45
Key Verse: “And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire” (Mark 10:35).
The story of the prodigal son has a lesson in fatal ambition. Although he was the second son of his father, the young man wanted an easy life even when his elder brother was toiling in the field. Having got his father to give him his portion of inheritance, he took off on a long journey that nearly proved disastrous.
He squandered the wealth in reckless living. In our text today, Jesus was able to read in-between the lines in a request made by James and John (two brothers). He knew it oozed out of selfish hearts so He sharply rebuked them. Even then, they insisted that they were able to drink the cup Jesus was about to drink. But, Jesus, knowing them, pointed out that their request could only be granted by God.
There are people who are always ready to cash in on every opportunity to take undue advantage of others. They want all manner of favours above others; they want to be recognized and elevated above others, and it does not matter to them how others feel about their scheming. Their ultimate aim is to rule over others by all means. While other disciples were busy doing the work of God, the two brothers were preoccupied with how to occupy some privileged positions.
There is nothing wrong with ambition, but how godly is that ambition? Is taking advantage of others your motivation in the service of the Lord? Some ambitions can prove fatal when they are carnally inspired. Every true believer is, therefore, urged to search his/her heart whether what springs from there is purely the things that give glory to God or those that crave for material gratifications and cheap adulation.
Thought for the day: It is carnal for a saint to be inordinately ambitious
Bible Reading in one Year: Leviticus 18-20
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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