The Attitude Quotient; Philippians

May the mumbling commence!

When we have found our focus in Christ Jesus, then our body of work must reflect this focus.  How will we succeed in life as a Christian?  Like many other things in life, success in growth is largely built upon three key elements.  Forty-five-percent is based on attitude.  Another forty-five-percent is based on effort.  And that leaves talent with somewhere near ten-per-cent.

Today, I want to look at what Paul has to say about attitude in his letter to the Philippians – particularly the probable early Christian hymn from chapter two.  Read it below from the NRSV:

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

                        Who, though he was in the form of God,

                                    did not regard equality with God

                                    as something to be exploited,

                        but emptied himself,

                                    taking the form of a slave,

                                    being born in human likeness.

                        And being found in human form,

                                    he humbled himself

                                    and became obedient to the point of death –

                                    even death on a cross.

                       

                        Therefore God also highly exalted him

                                    and gave him the name

                                    that is above every other name,

                        so that at the name of Jesus

                                    every knee should bend,

                                    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

                        and every tongue should confess

                                    that Jesus Christ is Lord,

                                    to the glory of God the Father. (Verses 5-11)

We must conform the attitudes of our mind and hearts to that of Christ Jesus.  If we claim Jesus as our Lord, we must fall into step with him.  And that means an attitude of humility.  That means not taking advantage of our strengths to the harm of others. 

It means using those strengths to lift our brothers and sisters up.  It means emptying ourselves with the goal of serving others… and emptying ourselves so that we can receive the service of others.  Both sides of this coin are important and difficult to do with grace.

But to humble ourselves in this way brings glory to God the Father.  And that glory will reflect back on us.  And blending that glory with humility will produce worship from every creature in the universe… worship that glorifies the Creator, our Lord and Master.

Wear the attitude of Christ Jesus, and you will go far in Christian growth.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out