19 Bible Verses about Ambition, positive aspects of

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be fed to the full.

Brethren, I count not myself to have overtaken it; but this one object I pursue, forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching out to those which are before, I press towards the mark for the prize of the divine calling from on high in Christ Jesus.

that I may know him, and the virtue of his resurrection, and communion with his sufferings, being conformed to his death;

Exert all your powers to enter through the strait gate: for many, I tell you, will seek to enter, but will not be able.

for which also I am labouring, conflicting in the energy of his might, which worketh in me powerfully.

and that you make it your study to live peaceably, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we have enjoined you;

Be diligent to present thyself before God approved, a workman that need not blush, rightly dividing the word of truth.

THEREFORE also seeing we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight, and that most easily besetting sin, let us run with patience the race lying before us,

as new-born babes desire earnestly the unadulterated milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Wherefore, beloved, seeing ye are expecting these things, be diligent to be found of him in peace, spotless and blameless.

So also ye, if ye zealously affect spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound in them for the edification of the church.

But zealously seek the gifts that are the best: and yet I shew unto you a more transcendently excellent way.

IT is a true saying, If a man seeks the office of a bishop, he desireth a laudable employment.

But I have in such manner endeavoured to preach the gospel, not where Christ's name had been heard, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me, yea verily woe is to me if I preach not the gospel.

Some indeed do it in a spirit of envy and strife; but some also preach Christ with cordial good-will: the one indeed preach Christ out of contention, not with purity of intention, thinking to add affliction to my bonds: but the others of love, knowing that I am exposed for the defence of the gospel.read more.
What then? if Christ is preached in whatever manner it be, whether in pretext or reality, even in this do I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Know ye not that they who run on the course, all run indeed, yet but one obtaineth the price? So run, that ye may obtain. And every one who contendeth [in the games] is temperate in all things: they indeed therefore do it that they may receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run not as uncertainly; so do I exercise with my fists, not as striking the air:read more.
but I beat down my body, and bring it into subjection, that I may not by any means, after having preached to others, myself become reprobate.

henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: yet not to me only, but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Recede not therefore from your boldness of profession, which brings a great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.