THE RIGHT CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE
Attitude may mean different things to different people, but the common undeniable factor is that it refers to a person's own perspective toward a specified target, a person's way of saying and doing things. According to Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary, it is "...the way you think and feel about someone or something, a feeling or way of thinking that affects a person's behavior, a way of thinking and behaving that people regard as unfriendly, rude, etc."
As Christians, what kind of attitude should we have? Do you realize your attitude defines who you are? So, what should your attitude to people around you be? What is your attitude toward your self, and toward your brethren? Do you realize your attitude determines how your non-Christian neighbors perceive Christianity? And do you know it may also impact on where you spend eternity?
In trying to answer the question on the right attitude for a Christian, I am quickly reminded of the Lord's Sermon on the Mount, and firmly persuaded that this was answered by the Lord Jesus during that Sermon when He literally told us, "Show more love everyday to everyone around you; above all, love even your enemies." A Christian's attitude must exude LOVE. God's type of Love.
Matthew 5 describes the bulk of it, and I have in mind where He says: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” This advice is exactly how and what the attitude of a true Christian should be about - sharing godly love, without any pre-attached conditions, to everyone we come in contact with, especially to those who 'hate, curse, spite' and have probably 'hurt' us most.
Also read: Think on These Things to Embrace What is Good
Also read: Who is my neighbor?
Attitude may mean different things to different people, but the common undeniable factor is that it refers to a person's own perspective toward a specified target, a person's way of saying and doing things. According to Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary, it is "...the way you think and feel about someone or something, a feeling or way of thinking that affects a person's behavior, a way of thinking and behaving that people regard as unfriendly, rude, etc."
As Christians, what kind of attitude should we have? Do you realize your attitude defines who you are? So, what should your attitude to people around you be? What is your attitude toward your self, and toward your brethren? Do you realize your attitude determines how your non-Christian neighbors perceive Christianity? And do you know it may also impact on where you spend eternity?
In trying to answer the question on the right attitude for a Christian, I am quickly reminded of the Lord's Sermon on the Mount, and firmly persuaded that this was answered by the Lord Jesus during that Sermon when He literally told us, "Show more love everyday to everyone around you; above all, love even your enemies." A Christian's attitude must exude LOVE. God's type of Love.
_-_James_Tissot.jpg "Jesus Sits by the Seashore and Preaches") |
| Jesus Sits by the Seashore and Preaches (Image credit: James Tissot - 1836–1902) |
Also read: Think on These Things to Embrace What is Good
10 suggestions to develop a healthy self-image and attitude
Based on this advice by the LORD Himself, 10 suggestions naturally turn up which I believe will help us to develop and maintain a healthy self-image and attitude. Please read them slowly. Meditate on them regularly. And above all, pray to the Lord for grace.1. Hate sin, but never hate yourself or someone else.
When you do sin, go before God confessing your sins, and ask His grace to overcome such and similar sins in future (1 Jn 1:8-10). Be sincere about this and make up your mind.2. Be quick to repent.
As you ask God for grace to overcome, sincerely resolve to repent of your sin. Ask God to give you, not only grace, but wisdom to live your life daily in victory over sin, and for Him. And He will!3. When God gives you light, walk in it.
The Holy Spirit is the One who was sent to show us true light and guide our paths, after Jesus went back into heaven. He is the ONLY true vicar of Christ on earth at these perilous times (Jn 14:25-26; 16:7-14). Learn to allow Him lead you always. Trust Him as He leads you in your daily affairs. That is the secret to constant triumph. You cannot do it on your own.4. Stop saying negative things about yourself.
Take every negative thought that comes into your mind, and subject them to the lordship of Christ (2 Cor 10:5). God loves you and it is wrong to hate what He loves. He has great plans for you, so you are in conflict with Him when you speak negatively concerning your future.5. Never be afraid to admit that you have made a mistake
Be quick to own up to your own blunders, and do not always assume that when things go wrong, it must be ‘that person's fault’. Be humble enough to admit your mistakes when you make them, and wise enough to learn from them always and never to repeat them.6. Do not dwell excessively on the wrongs of yesterday.
I used to err in this a lot in the past, but thank God, I now know better. Yes, it is wise to learn from past mistakes; but meditating excessively on them distracts us from the rich life that God wants for us. He has forgiven you. Leave the past things, and run the race of faith before you! Center your thoughts on Christ (Phil 3:13-14).7. Take good care of yourself physically.
Make the best of what God gave you to work with, but do not be obsessed with your appearance (1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 3:3-4).8. Never stop learning
Continue at every opportunity to increase your learning but do not allow your education to become a point of pride. God does not use you because of what is in your head: He uses you because of what is in your heart (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).9. Realize that your talents are a gift
Everything you are and possess are a gift from the Almighty, not something you have manufactured yourself; never look down on people who cannot do what you do. “Not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.” (Phil. 2:4)10. Do not despise your weaknesses.
They keep you dependent on God. “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:14-15)Also read: Who is my neighbor?
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