Christian Attitude

The Bible never said that the life of a Christian would be easy. On the contrary, Jesus said that we will be persecuted and that the world will hate us. The Bible reminds us that it will rain on the just and unjust alike. So calamity can come to anyone. It doesn’t matter how righteous you are. And Paul reminds us that believers are called to maintain a different attitude than other humans. We are to be overly merciful, overly loving, and in some cases un-human. It is the nature of humanity to be selfish, to want to repay evil to those who are evil to us, and to be proud. But, the Bible teaches us that the character of a Christian should be the exact opposite. In Romans, chapter 12, verses 12 through 18, Paul said:

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” 

Becoming a true follower of Christ, exhibiting the Christian attitude that Jesus and Paul tells us that we should have, is counter-culture and counter-human. It reminds us that we are to always take the high road when in conflict with others, we are to always think of others with a loving, merciful and empathetic heart, and we are to be completely faithful in our mission to know God. I encourage you to re-read these verses in Romans and pay close attention to each and every sentence. This is what it means to have a Christian attitude; to trust God, build a close relationship with him, love our enemies, empathize with others, strive to be at peace with one another, check our base human instincts, and to be perfect in the eyes of others. That is a tall order. But isn’t it nice that Paul lays it out so clearly for us? As we reflect on these few verses, we are able to get a clear picture of the attitude we should all have as we occupy space on this earth. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can train ourselves to be counter-culture and un-human. And over time, we may even prefer it.

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As you examine the Christian attitude that Paul suggests every believer should strive to maintain, which directive do you find to be the most difficult? Which area trips you up the most? Is it a lack of faithfulness to prayer? Is it difficult for you to give to those in need? Do you find it hard to empathize with those who are mourning, or are you jealous of those who are blessed and find it difficult to rejoice with them? Are you too proud to associate with those who you feel are beneath you? Do you want to hurt those who hurt you? Whatever your failing, I would challenge you to allow the Holy Spirit to conform you into the likeness of Christ. Jesus was in step with all of the mandates highlighted by Paul in these few verses, and we should aspire to do the same. It is true that these mandates are counter-culture, and some are even counter-human. But we are called to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. And taking on these characteristics, with the help and the power of the Holy Spirit, will guide us toward that goal.

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Total Dependence

If you live in America, and if you’ve been blessed with a loving family, financial security, and a strong group of friends, it is possible to go several days without reflecting on our need for God. It is possible to buy into the illusion that we are in control; that we direct our future, and that life will continue to play out in our favor. But I would challenge you to train yourself to embrace the truth. The truth is that apart from God, we can do nothing. If we do not remain in him, we can’t bear any fruit. And if we are not able to bear fruit we are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. Jesus reminded us of this in John, chapter 15, verse 4 through 6, which says: 

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” 

Every believer wants to bear fruit. We want to grow in our faith, we want to obey his commands and we want to be used by him. To do this we must remain in him. As true as “without faith it is impossible to please God”, if we do not remain in him we can do nothing. We need to understand and embrace our complete and total dependence on the one who not only saved our soul but who also gives us life. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. A branch out of contact with the vine is lifeless. It is dead. Jesus is our source of life for today and for eternity. Earlier in the book of John, Jesus said that he came that we might have life and have it to the full. True believers understand that the only way we can truly live is to remain connected to Jesus, the vine.

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In America, we are raised to be independent and self-sufficient. But believers know that true strength and security comes from our dependence on God. He is the source for everything we need. Just like an infant is totally dependent on their parents even though, at times, it might be unaware of that, we are dependent on God, even if, at times, we lose track of that truth. When we buy into the illusion of independence, there will come a time when that illusion is shattered. But, if we hold fast to the truth of our dependence on God; if we remain in him as he remains in us, we will realize that whatever happens in life, we will not waver. Jesus said that apart from him we can do nothing. I hope that you and I will never try to do anything apart from him. So I would encourage you, as I encourage myself, to filter all that we are through our relationship with God. Just like a branch that is connected to the vine; the stronger our relationship with him, the more healthy we will be and the more fruit we will bear.

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Good, One Less Thing

After coming through a natural disaster where homes may have been destroyed or the city infrastructure may have been shakened, often times, in the aftermath, you may hear someone say that “we should focus on what is important in life”? Usually meaning that we should focus on those things that money can’t buy like family, love, joy, and peace. If you are familiar with the iconic movie, “Forrest Gump”, you may remember my favorite line from the title character that also highlights this point. It was when Lieutenant Dan shared with Forrest that they were able to make millions from their shrimping business because a major storm virtually wiped out the competition. Forrest’s response was “good, that’s one less thing”. In that moment, Forrest realized what many of us forget. Not only is money not everything, but it is only one of several things that make up life. It should not be our sole pursuit, nor will it bring us what really matters in life. Jesus helps to put this truth in perspective in Matthew, chapter 6, verses 24 through 26 where he says: 

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you eat or drink; about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?” 

“Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” Yes, money serves a purpose, and yes money is important. But it shouldn’t drive us. It shouldn’t be our primary pursuit. Jesus reminded us that we can’t serve both God and money. So we need to ask ourselves; is money our pursuit or is God? In a strange way, Forrest Gump also helps us to put things in perspective. For those of us who have been blessed with enough money so that food, clothes and shelter isn’t a daily concern, we realize that this provision is only “one less thing” - one less concern; that life is comprised of more than what money can buy. Though this is true, every believer should take heart in the rest of what Jesus said; “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?” If we are able to truly put our faith and trust in God; if we seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, Jesus explains that God will take care of the things that money can provide as well.

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I believe that we can all learn something from Forrest Gump. Because upon learning that he had been blessed with enough money that all of his physical needs were met, he responded by saying, “good, that is one less thing.” To mature believers, having enough money to take care of our physical needs is only “one less thing” to concern ourselves with. In fact, that shouldn’t even be a concern because Jesus explains that God will provide for us. But in truth, God will likely use money to meet our physical needs. However the provision of having our physical needs met is only one less thing because Jesus reminds us that life is more than that. So I would encourage you to pursue God, not money. Either one may serve as a source of security. But money is only an illusion of security, and God is true security. Dependence on God is the only way for a mature believer to live. Because when we have him, not only will he take care of our physical needs, but he will be the source for all of our other needs as well.

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Non-Persuasive

I heard a sermon recently where the preacher had those in his congregation stand who were CEOs, business owners, leaders and policy makers along with a list of those who possessed other powerful, influential, charismatic, and successful credentials. Many stood, proud of their accomplishments and the potential they had to influence others and to make meaningful changes in their community. Then the preacher said that he had good news and bad new for them. The good news was that God can use them too, implying that those who remained seated were the ones best positioned for God to use them in a mighty way for kingdom purposes. I found that message intriguing and true. The Bible teaches us that God uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; that he chooses the weak things of the world to shame the strong. That is one reason why I believe Paul was used so mightily. Because by his own admission, he did not believe that he was talented or eloquent enough to persuade anyone on his own. In fact, he felt afraid, and in some ways inadequate when proclaiming Christ to a live audience. He said in First Corinthians, chapter 2, verses 2 though 5: 

“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” 

God uses the foolish and weak things of the world to glorify himself. I believe he does this so that there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that it is the power of God, not man, doing the work. Paul said that he preached not with wise or persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that their faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. When we think we are inadequate; when we are called to step our of our comfort zone allowing God to shine in a way where he alone can receive the Glory, then we are in the perfect place to be used by him.

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Thankfully, being effective for the kingdom of God does not depend solely on our abilities. It is not our persuasive words that will lead others to Christ, soften a heart towards him, or affect change in the lives of others. God can use us in spite of our shortcomings. I might even argue that God will use us because of our shortcomings. Yes, he may give us the right words to say, he may prepare the atmosphere so that the hearts of those listening may be more susceptible to the message, and he may - through us - draw others to himself, but he is doing all of the work that matters. We are only open and obedient to him - vessels that he can use in his master plan. So I would encourage you to be open to whatever God calls you to do. He may allow the gifts he has given you to play a role in his plan, or he may choose to only use your hands, feet and mouth as he does all of the work. The point is that he can us any of us. We only need to be willing and obedient. Are you willing and obedient? If you are, I would challenge you not to concern yourself with your own abilities or shortcomings when doing the work of God. Enter into his work prayed up, in step with the Spirit, and dependent on him with the willingness to do his will for his glory.

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Be Perfect

Are you familiar with the saying, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”? It is a phrase that is often used when a child shows behavioral similarities to their parent, usually the Father. And it is something every believer would love to have said of us in relation to our heavenly Father. But is it possible to be like God? As it so happens, Adam and Eve were deceived by the serpent when he explained that taking from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil would make them like God. But to aspire to have the same power as God and to aspire to model his character are two different things. One is done out of envy and the other is done out of admiration. In any case, I would argue that in some ways it is possible to be like God. In Matthew, chapter 5, verse 48, Jesus even said that we are to be like God. He said: 

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” 

The goal of perfection sets the bar quite high. None of us are perfect but, according to Jesus, that is the goal. The context for this verse is when Jesus mentions in the Beattitudes that we are to love our enemies. He said in part, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven”. Consider how honoring it would be to God if we were to take on such a close likeness to him that we would be perfect like he is perfect; that we would pray for our enemies; that it would be said of us that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. As believers, it should be our goal to reflect the nature of our heavenly Father. Often times that would include actions that are counter culture; actions that take us out of our comfort zones; and actions that cost us something as we put others ahead of ourselves. “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” If imitation is really the most sincere form of flattery then to truly honor God would mean that we are to strive for godly perfection.

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When you were a child, did you ever want to be like your father? Did you put your little feet in his big shoes? Did you mimic his mannerisms? Did you try to talk like he talked, walk like he walked and act like he acted? In the same way, we are to try to emulate our heavenly Father. We should desire to think like him and to feel like him. Our thoughts should agree with the word of God. And what breaks his heart should break ours. We should want to please him, to make him proud of us, to honor him, and to obey him. It should be our mission to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. I would challenge you to consider what adjustments you might need to make in your life to better align yourself with the perfection of our heavenly Father. What would godly perfection look like for you? The first step in knowing the answer to that question is to get to know the Father. Read his word, pray to him often, and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal how you can make this verse true in your life. In doing so, I can think of no better way to please the Father.

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