KINGDOM AMBITION: LIVING FOR GOD’S APPROVAL
In this blog I want to take a moment and consider what the kingdom ambition is that a believer should have in his walk of life.
The Apostle Paul once stood at the pinnacle of religious ambition. As a Pharisee, he belonged to an elite order, confident in the flesh.
Philippians 3:4-5 NKJV
(4) though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:
(5) circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
Yet there came a moment of divine awakening when he declared:
Philippians 3:8 NKJV
(8) Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
This is the great transition every believer must undergo: from natural ambition to Kingdom ambition.
GOD’S DEMAND IS THAT WE SHIFT FROM WORLDLY AMBITION TO KINGDOM AMBITION THROUGH THE FOLLOWING PURSUITS:
KINGDOM AMBITION SEEKS THE APPROVAL OF GOD
It must be the primary ambition of every believer to please God.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 NKJV
(1) Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;
The Apostle Paul exhorts us in this scripture to walk in a manner that pleases God and to abound more and more. Again, in 1 Thessalonians 2:4, he reminds us that we speak not to please men, but God who tests our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 NKJV
(4) But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
Jesus Himself lived this reality.
Matthew 3:17 NKJV
(17) And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
In this scripture the Father declared, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” We see that Jesus affirmed in John 8:29 that He always did those things that pleased the Father.
John 8:29 NKJV
(29) And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”
To live for God’s approval is to live a life governed by heaven’s affirmation rather than earthly applause or recognition.
KINGDOM AMBITION MANIFEST THE VICTORY OF CHRIST
The believer is not called to strive for victory but to manifest a victory already won.
Ephesians 2:6 NKJV
(6) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
We are seated with Christ in heavenly places. Romans 8:17 declares that we are joint-heirs with Him.
This victory must be expressed in three critical areas:
- Victory over Satan – resulting in righteousness
- Victory over the world – resulting in peace
- Victory over the flesh – resulting in joy
Victory Over Satan
Jesus triumphed over principalities and powers.
Colossians 2:15 NKJV
(15) Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
The believer is now called to enforce that victory. We have been given authority to bind and loose to cast out demons, and to tread upon all the power of the enemy. See the following scriptures:
Matthew 16:19 NKJV
(19) And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Mark 16:17 NKJV
(17) And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
Luke 10:19 NKJV
(19) Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
When we walk in this authority, we establish righteousness in the Kingdom.
Victory Over the World
John 16:33 NKJV
(33) These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Our victory over the world produces peace.
We overcome the world by:
- Not loving the things of this world (1 John 2:15)
- Not becoming entangled in its affairs (2 Timothy 2:4)
- Not conforming to its patterns (Romans 12:2)
- Being crucified to it (Galatians 6:14)
We are in the world but not of it. Our ambition must be to occupy until He comes preaching the gospel faithfully.
Luke 19:13 NKJV
(13) So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’
Victory Over the Flesh
Jesus overcame the flesh by submitting fully to the Father. He refused to act independently, endured the cross, and surrendered His will.
Matthew 4:3-4 NKJV
(3) Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
(4) But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.’ ”
Matthew 26:39 NKJV
(39) He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
Likewise, we are called to mortify the deeds of the flesh and abstain from fleshly lusts.
Colossians 3:5 NKJV
(5) Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
1 Peter 2:11 NKJV
(11) Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
Victory over the flesh produces joy—the joy of the Kingdom.
KINGDOM AMBITION SE THAT THE KINGDOM IS MANIFESTED
When righteousness, peace, and joy are evident in a believer’s life, the Kingdom of God is made visible.
Romans 14:17 NKJV
(17) for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
This manifestation is only possible through the Holy Spirit.
KINGDOM AMBITION ENSURE THAT YOU BEAR FRUIT
The life of a believer must produce spiritual fruit. Christianity is not merely about confession but about transformation evidenced in fruitfulness.
John 15:8 NKJV
(8) By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
KINGDOM AMBITION ENSURES THAT YOU IMITATE JESUS
We are called to follow in the footsteps of Christ.
1 Peter 2:21 NKJV
(21) For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
This goes beyond miracles—it includes His prayer life, compassion, humility, and obedience.
TAME THE TONGUE
The tongue reveals the maturity of the believer. James teaches that one who does not stumble in word is a perfect man.
James 3:2 NKJV
(2) For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
Scripture repeatedly calls us to guard our speech.
Psalms 141:3 NKJV
(3) Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Proverbs 21:23 NKJV
(23) Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.
KINGDOM AMBITION ENSURE THAT YOU INHABIT THE SECRET PLACE
Psalm 91:1 declares that he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalms 91:1 NKJV
(1) He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
This position grants:
- Protection from harm and pestilence
- Angelic covering
- Divine protection and deliverance
- Answered prayer
- Intimacy with God
- Long life and salvation
The secret place is not a visit—it is a habitation.
KINGDOM AMBITION ENSURES THAT YOU SPEAK AS AN ORACLE OF GOD
As believers we are all called to speak as the oracles of God.
1 Peter 4:11 NKJV
(11) If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
This requires a cultivated ability to hear God’s voice clearly. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice”.
John 10:27 NKJV
(27) My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Every believer must develop the capacity to hear and speak under divine inspiration.
NURTURE THE BODY OF CHRIST
We are not called to pursue blessings, but to become a blessing.
1 Corinthians 14:12 NKJV
(12) Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
We are exhorted to seek the edification of the church.
True Kingdom ambition is seen in those who strengthen others:
- Like the Levites who carried the ark
- Like David who defeated Goliath
- Like Jonathan who initiated victory
We are called to bear the burdens of others and build the Body of Christ.
CONCLUSION
The ambitions of a born-again believer are not rooted in self-promotion, but in Kingdom demonstration. To please God, manifest Christ’s
victory, walk in righteousness, peace, and joy, and build others—this is true success in the Kingdom.
Let our lives reflect not earthly ambition, but heavenly purpose.
Grace to you until next time.