What Is Your Attitude?

Tonight's Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:27

While in prison, Paul wrote about the attitude a Christian should have. He’s telling us that no matter what we go through, we are to respond with a Christ-like attitude. Philippians 2:5 “Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ” Ephesians 5:1 “be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children” Children love to imitate what they see and hear. We are children of God and are to imitate Christ’s behavior. How can we accomplish gaining this attitude?

Remain Patient, Hopeful, and Humble:

Jesus maintained a perfect attitude, He prayed about everything and worried about nothing. We need to seek God’s guidance about everything in our lives. Jesus’ attitude was never to become defensive, discouraged, or depressed. His goal was to please his Father rather than himself. While confronted with trials, He was patient, while suffering, He was hopeful, while being blessed, He was humble.

1Peter 2:23 “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”

What Was Jesus’ Attitude?:

He practiced Selflessness, humility, and service. Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” Our attitude should reflect one that focuses on the needs and interests of others. It’s difficult and not natural to us. When Christ came into the world, He established a whole new attitude toward relationships with others.

In Matthew chapter 20 the disciples were arguing about who was to be greatest in his kingdom. Jesus said...

Matthew 20:25-28 “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”

Jesus is teaching us that when we become preoccupied with our own stuff, it can cause conflicts with others. God wants us to have an attitude of serious, caring involvement in the concerns of others.

Ephesians 4:22-24 “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness”

God is in control of our lives. Every time we try to control our circumstances, our future, and the people around us, we’re trying to play god. He wants us to become like Him but by taking on His values, His attitudes, and His character Vs. 23-24 “be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness”

God’s Goal For Us:

God’s ultimate goal is the transformation of our minds into the attitude of godliness. He wants us to grow spiritually, to become like Christ. He doesn't want us to loose our personalities or become mindless clones. He wants us to become "Christ like". Being Christ like is all about transforming our mind.

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will”

He wants us to have the mindset of the Beatitudes of Jesus. Read Matthew 5:1-12

He wants us to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

He wants us to live by the principals of love. Read 1Corinthians 13:4-13

2Peter 1:5-8 “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self‑control; and to self‑control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
If we read and follow God’s word we can change our attitude. When we become Christ like, people take notice. When they take notice, they see Christ in us and usually want that peace we have. What is your attitude like?