The Counterintuitive Kingdom
- Johnathan Howell
- Apr 30
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 4
“Young man, you must be more ambitious! You must have ambition to succeed!” Statements with similar meaning and principles have been made to young men throughout human history. Listen carefully and you will hear these admonitions echoing still in our day!
“Without ambition one starts nothing.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emmerson
“A man’s worth is no greater than his ambitions.” ~ This quote is attributed to Marcus Aurelius, of whom we should note was Roman Emperor from 161 – 180.
Let us weigh and analyze the generational challenge to live our life driven by ambition.
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary,
Ambition is…
1. an ardent desire for rank, fame, or power
2. desire to achieve a particular end
What of ambition? Should this be the driving factor of the Christian life? What is the ultimate accomplishment and where is the final destination of ambition?
We find record of Lucifer’s ambitious desire and boastings in Isaiah 14. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. Yet, the ultimate accomplishment is impossible to achieve and the final destination is hell rather than the lofty heavens. Thus, the pattern of selfish ambition was established and continues to be followed until this very moment.
Let’s consider a few of the many Biblical examples of selfish ambition. Selfish ambition carried Lot all the way to sinful Sodom and the ultimate destruction of his family. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were driven by selfish ambition to stand against Moses. This led them down the path to destruction. Achan took the accursed things, Babylonish garment, 200 shekels of silver, wedge of gold of 50 shekels. Saul does what is necessary to keep the crown. Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, 2 talents of silver and two changes of garments. Judas, the disciple in possession of the money bag, 30 pieces of silver to betray Jesus. The rich young ruler chose riches over eternal life. Demas,forsook the Apostle Paul, to pursue the present world. Why? SELFISH AMBITION!
The question presents itself, “if not ambition, what then should propel one in life?” The principle is found also in the Word of God. Let us first consider that God’s ways and thoughts are not the same as ours. (Isaiah 55:8). The Kingdom of God is COUNTERINTUITIVE. (contrary to intuition or to common-sense expectation)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” ~ Isaiah 55:8
I do believe that we can identify a Kingdom centered principle in clearly outline in the Bible. This principle is found repeatedly as we read our way through Scripture. I would like to refer to this principle as righteous desire.
On the opposite side of the spectrum to selfish ambition, let’s consider a few of the many Bible examples of righteous desire. Abram left his homeland, lived in tents, and was a sojourner in a strange land. Instead of the green grass of the well-watered plains and the City of Sodom, Abram kept walking and building altars. Abraham became the father of many nations and is also referred to as the father of the faithful and the friend of God. This was accomplished through righteous desire.
Righteous desire carried Caleb through the wilderness, the rebellion of the people and the elevation of his friend Joshua (jealousy opportunity if driven by selfish ambition), all the way to the Promised land and his mountain.
Righteous desire was the guiding principle to David’s life, when as a young man, keeping his father’s sheep, he slew a bear and lion. It was here that he learned to play his harp skillfully unto the Lord in worship. Righteous desire propelled David to Sauls throne room to play his harp and by that worshipful playing help soothe the tormented Saul. Righteous desire propelled David to the battlefield to face the uncircumcised Philistine. As David’s own brothers attempted to project their own selfish ambition of him, David, filled with righteous desire answered, “Is there not a cause.” It kept him from taking the life of King Saul. It kept him from protecting his own reputation at times. RIGHTEOUS DESIRE!
David would write in Palms 27:4, “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.”
In Acts 13:22 David is referred to as a man after God’s own heart.
Matthew chapter 6 is really a good chapter to study considering our topic. We see portrayed how we are to conduct our lives. In this portrayal, we see both selfish ambition and righteous desire represented. All the admonitions and challenges culminate in verse 33, in the great command of Jesus. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. This challenging command echoes down through generations of humanity to you and I. Seek (desire) the Kingdom before and above anything else. Righteous Desire!
We must lose our life to find it. (Matthew 10:39)
The first shall be last and the last first (Matthew 20:16)
The greatest should be a servant. (Matthew (20:26)
Whoever is the least among you is the greatest. (Luke 9:48)
These Kingdom-minded statements of Jesus are all counterintuitive to the Lucifer originated idea of selfish ambition.
Righteous desire was example by the man Christ Jesus, as He cried out in the garden, “Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.” It took him all the way to the cross.
It took Paul all the way to Rome and under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost he wrote, “I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” (2 Timothy 4:6-7)
It caused John to be in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, while in horrible suffering as an exile on Patmos.
As we end our time together, I want to challenge us all to take a prayerful, introspective look at our lives and motives. What is propelling is forward? Why are we seeking “that job” or “that position”? Am I seeking to move the Kingdom or myself forward? Am I always asking, “What can be done to help me” rather than “what can I do to help move the Kingdom forward”?
May we each live our life in such a way as to be led of the Spirit, filled with righteous desire and therefore fulfill God’s purpose. The ultimate fulfillment of said life is the fulfillment of God’s purpose and the final destination is Heaven. May we all finish our course and hear Him say well done.
P.S. Under Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Empire faced a lot of military conflict, the silver purity of the currency was reduced, Christian persecution increased, Antonine Plague caused the death of 5-10 million Romans, and he died at 58. Some scholars Some scholars consider his death to be the end of the Pax Romana. Where did all his ambition lead him and his country? (see quote at the beginning of this article)
Excellent!