2 Corinthians 5:9 “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.”
What is your ambition? The word “ambition” means a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring, demanding of oneself determination and hard work to achieve success. It is what you passionately pursue. It is very possible that seeing the word “ambition” you might think of it as a negative. Being ambitious can describe a person who will do anything and everything to get ahead, caring not who or what is harmed. Ambition handled incorrectly, can be very dangerous.
Here in 2 Corinthians 5:9, we have a positive ambition. The Greek word translated here as AIM speaks of a love for bringing honor. It could be translated as aspire, conveying what one is reaching for. It could be translated as being zealous to convey the passion one has for pursuing and achieving the desired goal.
Paul says our aim, or ambition, that which we aspire after, that which we are zealous for, and passionate about, is to be living a life well pleasing to Jesus. well pleasing has the idea of being acceptable!
Our ambition is to have attitudes and actions that are acceptable to the Lord!
How do you apply a verse like 2 Corinthians 5:9 to everyday living? I see 2 Corinthians 5:9 as one of my filters for making decisions. By desiring every attitude and all actions to be well pleasing, acceptable to the Lord I am asking, “Is it pleasing to the Lord?”
I have found two prayers that are very helpful in helping me pursue living a life that is pleasing, and acceptable to the Lord. One is from Colossians 1:10 where I pray Paul’s prayer as he prayed that a person “walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him.” The other is from Psalm 19:14 in which David prayed, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.” I encourage you to pray these two prayers as part of your daily prayer time.
Do you have a holy ambition to have attitudes and actions that are acceptable to the Lord?
Continue Strong pursuing Pleasing Jesus,
And remember to DATE the Word