“For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” (James 3:15-16 NLT)
We may not realize it simply by reading the verses above, but these verses are a rich commentary as to what is going on in our world today. The word which is translated “selfish ambition,” paints the picture of someone who aspires to an office but will take whatever underhanded measures possible to sway the vote in their direction.
The opposite is a word translated in Matthew 25:21 as “faithful,” and describes “a person who shows themselves faithful in the transactions of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties.” (Strong’s) What are the implications?
Selfish ambition essentially means for the right price we’ll do whatever it takes to get what we want. The irony is, as a child of God we’re willing to do whatever it takes to please our Master. It’s not necessarily what we do, it’s for whom we do it.
In the age in which we now live it seems it’s not a question as to whether or not someone has selfish ambition, it’s only a question of how far they’re willing to go to get their way. Unfortunately, that’s not only true in the world, but in the church. When our so called “walk with Jesus” is compartmentalized, it’s not unusual to see someone live one way in and around the church and Christian friends, and another way entirely when they’re conducting business or mistreating their family.
We cut corners, shave the numbers, pad our profits to make ourselves look good to the powers that be, never stopping to realize that the bosses aren’t the only ones seeing the results of our demonic work ethic. Our co-workers usually recognize a fraud pretty quickly, and, if we’re professing our “success” is only because of our walk with the Lord, we’re dragging His holy name through the mud while we’re pushing our co-workers away from us and Him.
There’s likely never been a time when it was more important for us to be transparent, not only in our faith life, but in every detail of our lives. Jesus isn’t interested in having part of us, He paid the price to cover all our sin, not so we could live part-time for Him, but be all-in, serving Him without reservation.
Within a short time after I’d given my heart and life to the Lord, I was shooting hoops by myself at a nearby park. I noticed a classmate standing at the fence that surrounded the court, watching me. We didn’t run in the same circles, so I didn’t know his name, but as I was leaving, he came up to me and with a very serious look and tone said: “I’m watching you!”
Do you not recognize that people are watching your life? You’re the only Bible some will ever read. What are they reading on the pages of your life? Are you real or fake? All in or straddling the proverbial fence? Does Jesus own your whole heart or are you trying to share your heart with someone or something else?
It’s a hard thing to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow the Lord, but it’s never been more critical. The minute you witness to someone about your faith in Christ you’re giving them permission to investigate your life. What will they find? Please, I implore you, let them see Jesus.
This is not the time to be wishy-washy as we live our lives. Jesus could come for us at any moment, let’s not be ashamed of the way we’ve been living when He does. Selfishness isn’t an option for a Jesus follower. The price He was willing to pay for us is much too great not to honor Him with everything we are, have, and can do to render glory to His holy name.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 