Having the right kind of attitude…

As we move through life, our attitudes, outlooks and opinions seem to pull us in many different directions.  Some of these directions are setting us on the right path, while others are doing just the opposite.  We tend to lose control of our attitudes, outlooks and opinions at times, creating havoc and stress in our lives.  It seems that we can get lost in these demanding times, creating a sense of urgency where there is none, or steering us onto a self-seeking path that focuses the attention on us as opposed to our God.  This is where we lose our “peace of mind.” 

“For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:13-18(NKJV)  God’s Word is so full of “peaceful” advice that we can find it just by opening up our Bible.  Jesus Christ was sent here to emphasize this peace that we can all have a part of, but there is a catch to it.  We have to follow God’s advice on adjusting our attitudes, outlooks and opinions, then we can be called “peacemakers.”  “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9(NKJV)

We can live a life of envy and selfish ambitions, but where does that get us in the long run.  We all know that these attitudes will cause us to self-destruct eventually, leaving us empty and alone.  In order to create a different set of opinions and attitudes, we have to change.  We have to become “a new creation in Christ.”  We have to realize that there is more than what we can see, more than what we can touch.  We have to understand that God has a plan, and that it’s on His timeline, His calendar and His schedule, not ours.  We have to change our outlook to be more like Jesus, more like God’s intentions for our lives, not ours.  We have to alter our opinions to mirror God’s, not ours.

Now I know personally that making these changes can be extremely difficult.  Attitudes and opinions are not formed overnight, and will not change overnight.  It takes time and a serious amount of determination and effort.  But the effort is definitely worth it, just look at what the reward could be, eternal life!  You can’t get any better than that!

Changing attitudes and opinions can happen, but it starts with you.     

 

“in the world, not of the world”

All for one, and one for all

This phrase was made famous by the characters calling themselves The Three Musketeers.  They were made famous by the author Alexander Dumas in 1844.  This particular phrase was also used by Switzerland in the late 1860’s to energize its citizens in response to tragic flooding in the Alps.  The government was trying to spark a sense of unity, neighbor helping neighbor, in order to create a caring and sympathetic response to the flooding.  They only needed to look as far as their Bibles in order to energize their people. 

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:1-6(NKJV)

The Apostle Paul was attempting to spark this same sense of unity, the same feeling of mutual respect and understanding and the same care and concern for neighbor.  He proclaimed that there is “one body and one Spirit.”  We need to think about the words of Paul when we are dealing with those who remain “difficult.”  We often will come across those who refuse to believe we are all from the same Holy Father.  They will convince themselves and others that they may just be a little better off than most.  These same individuals will surround themselves with those of the same mindset.  Before you know it, we now have several different definitions relating to “all for one, and one for all.”  It would look more like “some for a few, and the others are on their own.”  The Bible teaches us that this is not the way God sees it. 

I’m not sure about you, but the way I see it, there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all.”  This Father is above all things, yet He resides in us.  If this is so, then we all are of the same lineage.  This means that we should be more than willing to be “bearing with one another in love.”  Why can’t we manage to see things the same way when we all “were called in one hope.”  We all need to see the way God sees, the way our Spirit directs us to see.  “All for one, and one for all.” 

 

“in the world, not of the world”