Eternal Perspective
Because we are already positioned in Christ, we are eternally safe and forever secure, and our life should display a heavenly attitude and reflect an eternal perspective. Our heart and mind should be set on heavenly things – for we are already in Christ, and we are blessed – already blessed – we are already blessed above all measure in Him.
That is how nature would have it, but I must take this attitude: The Lord stands to lose, the Lord's Name stands to suffer, the Lord's interests are involved in this; I must get on top of this; I must get the better of this; I must shake this thing off and not allow it to affect my attitude, my conduct, my feelings toward this brother or sister!
In order to display the power of His resurrection, He will very often have to take the attitude toward us of letting things get well beyond all human power to remedy or save, of allowing things to go so far that there is no other power in all the universe that can do anything whatever to save the situation.
Our attitude every time must be, Lord, do save me from ever coming to the time when what I have heard proves only to have been a thing heard; make it a basis of Holy Spirit activity to reach the Divine end.
I can think of few things more regrettable and grievous than that we should look back upon any part of our life and have to say, I might have realized some great purpose of God in that period of my life if only I had taken another attitude toward it than the one I did take; I was chafing, impatient, all the time looking for a way of escape; I was rebellious, living in another mental world of my own creating, in which I would do and be this and that; and I missed all that God intended at that time.
So we must go back to the sphere and conditions in which the Lord has placed us, with this attitude God has a thought which relates to me as one of His Own; and that thought is, that through the conditions and sufferings of my life He should develop in me the features of His Son.
All this can be if we will go the way of this man, and say, es, this has gone on long enough and it has to end, and to end, so far as my giving diligence is concerned, at once, and I do most truly by the grace of God take a deliberate and definite faith attitude toward the Lord Jesus for my complete deliverance and the setting of me upon my feet for His glory, for His praise!I think there will be an issue, and I think it will be e, leaping up, stood upon his feet, praising and glorifying God.May it be so with every one of us.
taking an attitude simply and honestly before the Lord, even should you feel it is not true, and so leaving room for the possibility that the prejudice may, after all, spring from yourself, from something in your constitution or in your upbringing.
Will you take a very honest and open-hearted attitude toward the Lord in the matter?
If there comes between those in these relationships, these strains, these cross-purposes, these cross-currents, this being offended and upset, this breach of true love, our attitude must be, not just that this is a miserable unhappy thing, and the sooner we make it up the better; our attitude must be, this thing out in the realm of spiritual intelligences is working against the glory of Christ, this is working against Him as the Head because all these relationships are joined so vitally to the Head; this is working against the Holy Spirit as the unifying power of the whole Body, this is doing damage, and therefore, inasmuch as we are so minutely related to all the members by the Holy Spirit, what one does must somehow, all beyond our realization or consciousness, touch Christ, touch the Holy Spirit, and therefore, all other members.
We may sometimes feel that we have the strongest ground for taking up a certain attitude or coming to a certain conclusion; we may feel that we have all the evidence and so are convinced; and yet we may be wrong.The man who wrote the letter to the Corinthians knew from deep and bitter experience that this was the case.
It relates to the Son primarily, and until the Lord people get the right attitude, the right point of view, that is, that all things in God full and final concern are centered in God Son, they have not come into line with all God resource.
One of the things which is lacking in so many of us is this rest, or, to put it the other way, the things which characterize us so much are fret, anxiety, uncertainty, and all those things which are just the opposite of calm assurance, quiet confidence, the spirit and attitude and atmosphere which says all the time, Don't worry, don't fret, it is all right.
If his faith had given way he would naturally have taken the attitude that, since the thing had not been fulfilled in so long a time and in his lifetime, it all represented perhaps a big mistake on his part, a false expectation, some misguidance, and so on.
The only way of Life and deliverance from such a paralysis is a deliberate faith in God which causes us to take the attitude that we are going on with God, understanding or not understanding, explaining or not explaining, having light or having no light; we are going right on with God on the basis of what God has done in us, made real in us, of what God Himself is to us by what He has effected in us.
That extra feature where we cannot just be occupied with faults and be people of a criticizing attitude, the extra feature with a love which covers a multitude of sins.
If Israel in the wilderness had taken this attitude Well, this is a very difficult experience, but the Lord is after something, the Lord wants something, and He evidently knows that that is the best way to get it; all right, I am with Him, I may lose everything, I may suffer the loss of all things, but it is what the Lord wants that matters.
If that had been their attitude, do you think they would have journeyed forty years in the wilderness round and round, do you think at the border of the land they would have been turned back to perish in the wilderness?
God makes the facts and tells us to take the attitude that befits these facts; and when we obey, He increasingly works our experiential victory in and through us. -W.R.N.
Our stand and attitude from the beginning of each day is to be a settled matter as we rest in our risen Lord Jesus: the death of the Cross separates me from the enslavement of sin and self, and I continually abide in my new life, Christ Jesus.
It is to be dealt with by an attitude of death, not by ‘overcoming.’ The believer therefore is not to be spending his whole life in getting victory over sin, but understanding his position as having died unto sin.”
The believer, in whose daily attitude the mark of resurrection is seen, becomes what the world is looking for, a convincing witness to the power of the Living Redeemer. -G.W.
But it is of greater benefit finally to us, and much greater glory to God, if we simply accept His Word and learn to walk in the power of it by naked faith; which asks no longer certain ecstasies, but being sure of God's truth because it is His truth, maintains an attitude of faith therein; attitude - a fixed heart.
Faith, when once we see the truth, consists of a believing attitude of the will toward God.
This involves a negative attitude toward all doubt of His promises or anything that would raise a doubt; and it also involves a continued refusal to rest upon appearances or feelings, even though these may come in great abundance.
Very little abiding growth and fruit can be known by the believer until he accepts the fact of identification (Rom. 6:6), and to it responds by an attitude of faith (Rom. 6:11), thus yielding himself to the Holy Spirit for the life of the Lord Jesus to be manifested in and through him (Rom. 6:13). -G.W.
Once we become aware that our sovereign Father is reigning and is in full control, our faith becomes a set attitude and we are able to honor Him by resting in His faithfulness under all circumstances.
This cooperation is a matter of heart-attitude, of spirit, and means that we go quietly on, cheerfully and faithfully glorifying the Father where we are, not fretting or praying to be moved somewhere else. -T.
It is character, that emanates from a man that is important. A man’s character is so much more than a man’s deeds. It is a man’s ambiance and attitude – that is written in the heavenly annals. It is a man’s atmosphere rather than his activities that counts at the last.
Bond-Servant of God
Not only in; in action; in attitude; in thought; in word; in deed and in character, But in everything, commending ourselves as Servants of God 2 Corinthians 6:4.
They became wise in their own eyes, with a self-righteous attitude towards others. Job surely felt condemned not comforted – criticised rather than consoled.
Oh, how he needed their loving comfort, but how their attitude infected Job’s retort.
Action or attitude in a believer, stemming from the old sin nature needs correction – like Job’s self-righteousness; his wife’s defeat; his friends critical religiosity.
Wrong Attitude
Job’s friends exemplified this in their accusation of Job and their misunderstanding of God.
Job demonstrated this in his own self-righteous attitude to his goodness, for there is none good, no not one – there is none good, only God but He graciously saves those who trust Him.
And here is one of the innermost secrets of Christian living and walking with Christ... an attitude of praise and gratitude, from a humble heart - broken in love for Him.
Praising Heart
With what jealousy I must guard this attitude of grateful thanks and praise.
We can sin with our mental attitude, where sin is carried out in the mind and we can sin motivationally – where a good deed is done for the wrong reason.
Some are overt and some are covert sins, and some are motivational sins, but all are connected with a mental attitude.
Heart Attitude
Blood may not be dripping from the end of a knife of hatred, bitterness, envy, unforgiveness, or pride..
Oh, I’ve no doubt that an attitude of failure developed from their past murmurings, and once that point was reached, the rest of their life was passed in failure.
Patient Endurance
This is to be our attitude; our constant attitude; our nonfluctuating attitude – our undeviating attitude.
This is an attitude of life and health, and inherent in this attitude is a salutary effect: for every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as He is pure. 1John.3:3.
this rebellious attitude has permeated every generation from Adam until now.
Old Man
Yes – the old self (the old-man) must be crucified and remain in the place of death – and this is an uncomfortable place indeed! Why in heavens name did this Self-Existent Being create man in His own image, knowing that for 6000 years pride would be the attitude of man towards His God.
Effective Intercession
There are many qualities that an intercessor needs to be an effective prayer warrior. Perhaps the most important is a believer’s attitude towards his Captain and Lord – combined with a totally revised view of his own self and importance in this battle.
Attitude to Christ
There are many qualities that an intercessor needs to be effective, Perhaps the most important is the believer’s attitude towards his captain and Lord.
An attitude that just loves on the Lord with all our being… loving to the length and breadth and height and depth of all we are – combined with a revised view of our self – our foolish self and self-importance.
STUDY in PRAYER
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.Colossians 4:2
Acceptable Prayer
Prayer is designed to accomplish God’s ends and God’s way in God’s time. Acceptable prayer can only be prayed in and through the Spirit of the almighty God – and this verse in Colossians mentions three important aspects of prayer: Devote yourselves to prayer – keeping alert in it – with an attitude of thanksgiving.
We are to pray to the Father with a grateful heart and attitude of thankfulness..
Attitude of Prayer
Let us with the apostles and saints alike give ourselves to fasting and prayer.
Let us pray with an attitude of grateful praise to the Father.
Acceptance
God’s desire is that our attitude towards Him is based on a correct foundation, and Scripture is saturated with stanzas that tell of God’s love for each of His own. God sometimes has to take a lifetime to establish in the heart of a doubting believer that he is Accepted in Christ – it must surely break His heart when His children doubt His love… which is infinite, sacrificial, unchanging and eternal.
Turnabout
As we turn TO Christ – inevitably we CHANGE our thinking or turn about. As we turn TO Christ – of necessity we ALTER our attitude or turn about. As we turn TO Christ – automatically we REPENT or turn about. When we change direction to Christ – undoubtedly we TURN FROM other things. When we change direction to Christ – unquestionably we REPENT OF other things.
a change of attitude – a change of heart. An integral part of scriptural repentance must include believing on the Lord Jesus… salvation – a gift of God – by grace alone – through faith alone.
Truth in Philippians
Philippians 1: 5-10 Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage.
What a different attitude they both adopted, towards God and towards themselves.
Three times his wrong attitude towards God was clearly demonstrated in 1 Samuel 13-15 Each time Saul did what was right in Saul’s eyes – ignoring God’s instructions.
Only one had a right attitude of heart towards God.
His very actions and attitude were filled with grace and truth. He would not destroy a bruised reed nor snuff out a flickering candle, and He humbled Himself before God and man as an example for us to follow.
Servant Attitude
It is not necessary to wash feet but to have a servant attitude towards others.
But how the Lord Jesus demonstrated this grace of humility through His earthly ministry - Even from His lowly stable birth; His status as a refugee in Egypt; His gracious attitude towards His earthly parents; His long years of hard toil in a common, little carpentry shop.
Christian Testimony
Qualities of character that reflect a true Christian testimony – not only in word alone but in disposition and in deed; in mind and in motive; in action and in attitude; in conscious thought and unconscious thinking; in gentleness of spirit and long-suffering of heart.
There may be an attitude of heart that needs to be repented of – He’ll show you, but whatever it is, He’s the One that knows the deepest need of the human soul.
This attitude receives the rebuke from the Lord in the Olivet parable that tells of His return. Though tarrying is indeed implied in these two conflicting example, a patient waiting and watchful readiness is the desire of the Lord – for His darling bride.
Laodicean Disinterest
I don’t think there is anything more destructive to the human soul than disinterest. I don’t think anything hurts a human heart more than a 'couldn’t care less' attitude.
You seek Him to search out any rebellious attitude where self reigns supreme – and you admit to yourself that you left your first love, the Lord Jesus.
Central Citadel
Any aspect or attitude of our lives which are not of Christ have their roots in Self, but the central citadel and supreme stronghold of Christianity is Jesus Christ alone, The very person of the Lord Jesus Christ is to be the central focus of our hearts.
Christ’s Humility
Only once did Jesus refer to His own deep humility of heart and poverty of spirit, when He said: “I am meek and lowly in heart” Matt.11:29 But throughout His earthly journey, in action and attitude, humility streamed forth.
Willing Captive
God is no respecter of persons and He will work through all willing captives. The one that is prepared to adopt Paul’s attitude will be used mightily of God.
But how this attitude of all-knowing and full understanding is so contrary to His will, and how the enemy has used this insatiable desire to bring many to the pit of despair.
Am I to neglect the daily duties of life or adopt the attitude of some pious monk?
Spiritually Alert
We too must grasp the spirit of Christ’s earnest entreaties to watch and pray. We too must be unceasingly spiritual alert maintaining an unbroken attitude of heart. We are to clothe ourselves with a temperament of anticipated watchfulness. We are to develop a perspective of ceaseless prayerfulness. We are to watch and pray in spirit and in truth, at all times and without ceasing.
Christians are warned of this attitude in many passages of scripture:- passages connected with the return of the Lord Jesus for the Church; passages connected with the Christian walk and spiritual godly living; passages connected with fruit-bearing and growing into the likeness of Christ.
She had adopted a greedy attitude – the capitalistic attitude of Sodom.
But such an attitude towards God does demonstrate one thing... it shows a lack of understanding about the nature, character, and love of God.
Checklist
If you find yourself weighing up God’s love or questioning His preferences. 1) Confess of your wrong thinking and your false perceptions of His character. 2) Acknowledge and rejoice in the truth of the depth of His love for you. 3) Change your attitude towards Him and ask Him to guard your every thought. 4) Accept that you’re loved with an everlasting love and accepted in the Beloved. 5) Decide every moment to take captive every thought that dishonours the Lord. 6) Trust what His Word tells you of His matchless love and eternal grace – for what greater love could God demonstrate than to lay down His life for you.
Grace of God
Transgressions big and small must be confessed daily to maintain sweet fellowship:- that thoughtless word; that selfish thought; that mean streak; that proud attitude; that faithless action.
Earthly Life
During His earthly walk, the disciples were encouraged to learn about Jesus. They were to watch His walk; to witness His character; to observe His attitude. They were to obey in His commands, abide by His teachings and they were to hear Him. During Christ’s earthly walk, His followers were challenged to learn about Jesus.
but truths that can change our outlook and attitude – are often ignored or neglected – but Titus packs practical truth into all his words, which we would do well to consider.
They have not seen that God has closed the door to the old creation, and that God attitude is this: The only thing that can satisfy Me, that can serve Me is My Son, and if you are going to come into My service, He has to be the energy of everything, the Life of everything, the Wisdom of everything!