Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "Let
us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome
it." But the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to
go up against the people, for they are stronger than we." Numbers 13:30-31
How
could there be such differing opinions on the same topic? Because there was a
difference in attitude or to many tater’s, better know as “complainers” which means literally “one who is discontented
with his lot in life. The development of a positive attitude is the first conscious
step toward becoming an effective follower of Christ. Successful fruits of the Spirit cannot be formed without this crucial developing soil .
Writing from a prison cell in Rome, the apostle
Paul wrote about the attitude a Christian should have: “Whatever happens,
conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” Philippians 1:27.
The "whatever happens" here is a
reference to whether Paul can come to visit the Philippians or not. Paul gave
this instruction so that "whether I come and see you or only hear about
you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving
together as one for the faith of the gospel"
Philippians 1:27.
No matter what unexpected disruptions, frustrations, or
difficulties come our way, we are to respond with a Christ like attitude. We
should be standing firm and striving for the faith. Paul later writes, “Your
attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ” Philippians 2:5
He is talking about demonstrating humility and
selflessness in relationships. He also encourages us in Ephesians 5:1
To be “imitators of Christ as dearly beloved
children.” As children love to imitate what they see and repeat what they hear;
we also are charged to imitate and model Christ’s behavior and to be clear
reflections of the Lord Matthew 5:16.
Check
out the following attitude axioms suggested by the words and actions of Joshua
and Caleb:
1. Our
attitude determines our approach to life.
2. Our
attitude determines our relationships with people.
3. Our
attitude is often the only difference between success and failure.
4. Our
attitude at the beginning of a task will affect its outcome more than anything
else.
5. Our
attitude can turn problems into blessings.
7. Our
attitude is not automatically good just because we belong to God.
Jesus maintained a perfect attitude in every
situation. He prayed about everything and worried about nothing. We, too,
should seek God’s guidance about every aspect of our lives and allow Him to
work out His perfect will. Jesus’ attitude was never to become defensive or
discouraged. His goal was to please the Father rather than to achieve His own
agenda John 6:38.
In the
midst of trials, He was patient. In the midst of suffering, He was hopeful. In
the midst of blessing, He was humble. Even in the midst of ridicule, abuse, and
hostility, He “made no threats . . . and did not retaliate. Instead He
entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly” 1 Peter 2:23.
When Paul writes that our “attitude should be the
same as that of Christ Jesus,” he had summarized in the previous two verses
what such an attitude was: selflessness, humility, and service. Each time we
try to control our circumstances, our future, and the people around us, we’re
only demonstrating that we want to be a god. But we must understand that, as
creatures, we will never be the Creator. God doesn’t want us to try to become
gods. Instead, He wants us to become like Him, taking on His values, His attitudes,
and His character. We are meant 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” Ephesians 4:23-24.
Finally, we must always keep in mind that God’s
ultimate goal for His children is not our comfort, but the transformation of
our minds into the attitude of godliness. He wants us to grow spiritually, to
become like Christ. This doesn’t mean losing our personalities or becoming
mindless clones. Christlikeness is all about transforming our minds. Again,
Paul tells us, “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” Romans 12:2.
It is God’s will that we develop the kind of
mindset described in the Beatitudes of Jesus Matthew 5:1-12,that we exhibit the
fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23, that we emulate the principles in Paul’s
great chapter on love (Corinthians 13 and that we strive to pattern our lives
after Peter’s characteristics of an effective and productive life 2 Peter
1:5-8.
“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” Philippians 2:3-4.
God Bless You and This Ministry!
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