Ambition

And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation.

Romans 15:20

Paul was an ambitious man. When he was Saul of Tarsus growing up in the strict sect of the Pharisees he had been ambitious. He grew to hate the followers of Christ. He participated in the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr of the New Testament era. He had been on his way to Damascus to persecute the followers of Christ when Christ had personally arrested him, revealing Himself to him as his Savior and Lord. Because of this experience, Paul became a believer and eventually the foremost missionary of the New Testament. He went on multiple missionary journeys. Our text reveals his desire, ‘to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named.’ He had the driving ambition to proclaim Christ in places where no one else had already taken the gospel. He did not want to build upon someone else’s foundation. In various cases, God gave him this opportunity, and he succeeded in accomplishing his goal. What was important to Paul was to point people to Christ. We live in a society where we could encounter those who know nothing of Christ. They would barely recognize His name. We may well adopt Paul’s goal. Thus, pointing people to Christ is a worthy endeavor, wherever we go.

Our God of Grace and Glory,
we rejoice that You have given to us the message of Christ.
We praise You that we can
speak of Him anywhere.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning