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The Resurrection Redeems Our Ambitions

In Daily Devotional, Life Issues, Work by Mauricio Rosa

Theme of the Week: Living in Light of the Resurrection

Bible Verse: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:5-13

Author and social critic, Os Guinness, defines ambition as “set, on one hand, on the context of purpose and on the other hand, on the context of desire.”

We all desire our lives to count for something. That’s ambition. God designed and made us ambitious creatures. Ambition is not a bad thing; otherwise, we still would be living like nomads – and I sure love my bed and a hot shower!

Having ambition is not the issue. The objects of our desire are; they will drive us (Matthew 6:21).

In His most famous prayer, Jesus reveals to us His heart and understanding of God’s will. Jesus shows us what holy ambition is:

  • “Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name” (Mt. 6:9) Jesus’ main desire is for the exaltation of the Father. Prayer should not aim to get things from God, but desire God Himself. All other petitions stem from this main one.
  • “Your kingdom come” (Mt. 6:10) There is no gospel without the good news of the kingdom of God. The notion that the gospel is for me and about me, to get me to heaven, is very myopic. The resurrection restores in us a passion for God’s kingdom.
  • “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt. 6:10) Holy ambitions have pleasure in being submitted to God and in doing His will. It becomes the reference for all our other desires.
  • “Give us our daily bread” (Mt. 6:11) Having our provisions met is about more than just our survival; it is about having what we need to fulfill God’s purposes. We evaluate our needs based on the greater need – God’s mission.
  • “Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors” (Mt. 6:12) Resurrection is the assurance we are not only forgiven and have our debt paid, but it is the foundation of our relationship with God. Forgiveness is the basis of all our relationships.
  • “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” Mt. 6:13) – Jesus reminds us that only the grace of God can stand between us and our selfish ambitions. This is a reminder that God’s grace is available to us, as He knows we will need it over and over again.

Living in light of the resurrection means being a new creation, having a new a heart with new desires, not only for eternity but for today.


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About
Mauricio Rosa
Mauricio Rosa is a pastor at First Evangelical Free Church in Calgary. His passions are teaching and discipleship. He is married to Christin and together they have three children.
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Mauricio Rosa
Mauricio Rosa is a pastor at First Evangelical Free Church in Calgary. His passions are teaching and discipleship. He is married to Christin and together they have three children.