POSITIVES

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts – Romans 13:14

The attitude that you put on and carry around makes an incredible difference in your life. It can be a powerful tool for positive action, or a poison that cripples your capability to maximise your potential. Keith Harrell makes this illustrative distinction:

“Those with positive attitudes throw off the bed covers each morning, jump out of bed, throw open a window, take a deep breath, and say, “Good morning, God.” Those with negative attitudes drag themselves out of bed, stare out the window, and say, “Good God, morning.”

God’s Word exhorts that your attitude toward life, your circumstances, or toward other people should always be like the Lord’s: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil.2:5). Positive attitudes are generally demonstrated in being: cooperative, considerate, encouraging, humble, loving, loyal, persevering, selfless, and teachable (Gal. 5:22-23). Here are seven examples of what our Attitude should be:

To God – humility, love, obedience, prayerfulness, reverence, submission, trust, and worshipful: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment” (Mk.12:30). “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (Jh.14:15); “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jam.4:7). Also, see Psa. 111:10; 1 Sam. 15:23.

To God’s Children – love, forgiveness, care, consideration, encouragement, humility, impartiality, kindness, unselfishness, and respect: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jh.13:35); “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (Jh.15:12). Also, see Rom. 12:10, 13:10, 15:7; 1 Cor. 13:4-8; Jas. 2:9; Eph. 4:2, 4:32; Col. 3:16.

To Church – cooperation, dependability, encouragement, faithfulness, helpfulness, participation, respect, and willingness: “Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God” (1 Cor. 10:32); “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel” (1 Cor. 14:12). Also, see Heb. 2:12.

To Secular Authority – accountability, cooperation, loyalty, service, and respect: “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive…” (Heb. 13:17a); “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good” (1 Pet. 2:13-14).

To Challenges and Problems – believing (faith), patience, persevering, and thankfulness: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28); “So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham” (Gal. 3:9).

To Disappointment and Unfairness – confidence in God’s fairness and justice, humility, patience, prayerfulness, and submission to God: “My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him” (Psa. 62:5); “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He” (Dt. 32:4); “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him…” (Job 13:15a); “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?” (Lk.18:7). Also, see Rom. 8:28, 12:19.

To the Lost – compassion, forgiveness, encouragement, and reconciliation to God: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lk.19:10); “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18). Also, see Mt.18:11-14; 2Pet.3:9).

How much of the Lord Jesus Christ have you put on? How much of His Mind is reflecting in and demonstrated by your Attitudes