Some people have the right attitude. These individuals are convinced that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.
What kind of attitude do we bring to the table?
Paul wrote about attitude in his letter to the Philippians. Philippians 2:4-5 tells us, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…”
I would assume that the people in Philippi had their own problems. They needed to grow in the Holy Spirit just like we do. It is a process.
Paul’s letter was intended to help them to grow in the Holy Spirit. One reason for us to study his letter would be, that we may have the same problems as they had.
We should ask ourselves: What is my attitude towards my brothers and sisters in the Church? Or towards my co-workers? Is it positive or negative? Is the Holy Spirit of God growing and firmly grounded in me? Am I helping others to grow?
Answering such questions can be difficult, but facing the facts and reflecting on them is a valuable exercise.
The motivation for our behavior could be pride. Our actions and views can be driven by personal ambition, greed, revenge, or other motives that are obviously wrong. These ungodly traits creep in slowly, and we need to be on guard against them.
For this reason, Paul admonishes us to engage in a certain amount of self-examination.
How can we know if we are on the narrow path that Christ has shown us? The answer lies in esteeming others higher than ourselves. Philippians 2:3 says: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better [higher] than himself.” The New Jerusalem Bible says: “… everyone should give preference to others…”
Paul does not mean that we should become inactive and disregard our own strengths and abilities. Now let’s read Philippians 2:4 again: “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
His point is that we should not be busy exploring how great we are. We should also focus on others, not just on ourselves.
Such is the right attitude of a true Christian. It is not self-evident for us human beings. But it would be worth working on it, and with God’s Holy Spirit, it is achievable.
Our decisions are molded in our minds and hearts. In order to have the mind or attitude of Christ, we need to understand how Christ actually was, and how He sees things.
In the following verses, we find possible clues. Philippians 2:6-8 tells us, “[Christ] who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
Do we follow the example and resemble the mindset of Christ? Because that is the kind of attitude we should have.
But as usual, it is easier said than done.
Is the well-being of others generally more important to us than our own?
Every day, we are faced with decisions. We shape our character through the choices we make every day. We can mold a good or a bad character.
We should follow the model of Christ. Through His Holy Spirit, He will help us to become more and more like Him.
Is it worth the effort? Absolutely!
In 1 Peter 3:8-9, we read: “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”
(Initial Translation: Daniel Blasinger)
