Having the attitude of Christ

 Have the attitude of Christ 

“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:  

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  

The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  

I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14.

I believe the Christian life is about being humble before God. 

The apostle Paul tells us,

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:5-8.

In the book of James we read,

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, 

and he will lift you up."

                                        James 4:10.

Please think about it. 

Without regret

  Without regret 

In the book of Joshua we read,

"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. 

But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24: 14,15.

Who do you serve? There are many people calling themselves Christians today who are not serving God. They are serving the Gods of this world. Materialism and money being chief among them.

Now there’s nothing wrong with having a lot of money and possessions. It’s the emphasis you put on them that can make them gods.

Matthews gospel tells of a rich young man who came to Jesus. Matthew records,

"Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." 

"Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, " ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,  honor your father and mother,' and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.''" 

"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" 

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." Matthew 19:16-22.

I think every one who claims to be a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus needs to ask the question; “could I give everything I own away and still follow Jesus with no regrets?”

Could you?

Please think about it.

I have the right

  I have the right

The apostle Paul states,

" ‘I have the right to do anything,' you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything'—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others." 1 Corinthians 10:23–24.

Living in North America I hear all the time “I have my rights!!!” 

And yes every individual has the right to do as they wish. There is however a caveat. That being you cannot hurt someone, physically, mentally, or spiritually.

This is something I believe a lot of Christians here in North America forget. We have rights but we have no right to restrict or hurt someone physically, mentally, or spiritually.

For someone calling themselves a Christian to do so pushes people away from God. 

Jesus said,

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" Matthew 7:12.

If you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus, this should be the principle that guides your every day life. 

Please think about it.

Righteousness, faith, love, peace.

  Righteousness, faith, love, peace.

To Timothy and therefore to us the apostle Paul wrote,

"Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart" 2 Timothy 2:22.

Here’s a simple question to anyone who claims to be a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus. 

Are you pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace?

Are you calling on The Lord out of a pure heart?

Think about it.

Really think about it.