Grace Fueled Ambition
Romans 15:14-21, “And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: But as it is written, To whom He was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.”
Ambition is not the enemy of humility, but self-exaltation is. Our text calls for an ambition drive that is anchored in grace: “because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles” (v. 15b-16a). Grace does not sedate believers but sends them. There is balance in Paul’s ministry report. He speaks of what Christ accomplished through him (v. 18). The worker does matter. God uses personalities, training, and planning, but Christ remains the true achiever. As 1 Cor. 3:6 says, “I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” In Paul’s case, signs and wonders, persuasive words, and painstaking travel from Jerusalem to Illyricum all served the end of bringing the Gentiles to obedience. Evangelism seeks nothing less than glad submission to King Jesus, not mere decision-cards.
Jesus is the Lord of the harvest. As believers, let’s be thankful that He graciously redeemed us. May an understanding of His grace ignite with you a fresh ambition for your home, your campus, your workplace, your city, and our world. May Christ accomplish through us more than we can ask or imagine, so that He alone gets the glory.
The Apostle Paul begins to land the plane that is the monumental letter of Romans by continuing to fix our gaze on humble, Christ-like service. In Christ’s kingdom strength is never about self-aggrandizement but is always about stewardship. Jesus carried our weakness, bore our shame, and paid our penalty on the cross. The Holy Spirit presses that same pattern into every disciple. So, instead of lifting up our ego, let’s use whatever maturity, liberty, or knowledge we possess to lift up others.