Good morning,
God’s word challenges our thinking.
When the Bible says God rules over everything, that we should “fear not”, the blessings God shows to Israel, the church, and to the United States, then we must ask ourselves, how does this impact me? What should be my response to God’s goodness?
This week we look at what our spiritual attitude should be. We have responsibilities to act in accordance with Scriptural principles. What are they?
SPIRITUAL ATTITUDE
JAMES 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
1) SPIRITUAL BATTLE (EPHESIANS 6:10-12)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
2) SPIRITUAL MIND (PHILIPPIANS 2:1-18) KEY VERSES 2, 3-16
Like minded, same love, being of one accord, one mind V2
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Put others first V3-4
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let the mind of Christ be in us V5-6
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Humble ourselves as Jesus did V7-8
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Bow to Jesus and confess that Jesus is Lord V 10-11
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling V12
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
God works in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure V13
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Do all things without murmurings and disputing V14
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Result that we might be blameless V15
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Holding forth the word of life, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain V16
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.
Spiritual attitude begins with the wisdom of God. James 3:17 tells us about God’s wisdom. It is pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be done, merciful, with good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy. Do those terms define how we live our lives?
Elections pit people of opposing views vying for a specific political position. We see the battle as between individuals or political parties. Ephesians 6:11-12 tells us, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Our battle is against Satan and his forces of evil. Satan will do all he can to distract us from following God and obeying His word.
Then God gives us the example of Jesus Christ. What He did. How He acted. That is the template for us.
Read each of the attributes and ask yourself, “How can I apply this to my life?” These character qualities will help shape our spiritual attitude. It will make us more like Christ.
3) SPIRITUAL ACTIONS (PHILIPPIANS 4:1-9) KEY VERSES 4, 6, 7, 8
Rejoice V4
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice
Pray and ask V6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Peace of God V7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Think on these things: whatsoever is: True, honest, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtue, praise V8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
4) SPIRITUAL FRUIT (GALATIANS 5:22-3)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Philippians 4:1-9 gives practical things to do to enhance our spiritual attitude. Rejoice in the Lord. Why? Because of all the great things He has done for us.
Pray and ask. We have the privilege to go directly to God with our praise, prayers, and concerns.
When we do this we will enjoy the peace of God. It would be hard not to, when we are communing with God.
Philippians 4:8 gives us a way to defeat Satan, grow closer to God, and enhance our spiritual attitude. Eight items are mentioned. We are to think on these things. What things? “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
As we draw closer to God through prayer, the reading, studying, and obedience to the Bible, characteristics about us should change.
The changes should be in line with Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit should be more evident the longer we have been saved. Are they?
Spiritual attitude is made up of a combination of different principles which mature us in Christ. A mature believer brings much happiness to God, believers and unbelievers, and the church family.
5) SPIRITUAL CONDUCT (COLOSSIANS 3:1-3, 5, 8-11, 9-14, 17)
Seek those things above V1
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affections on things above V2
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Mortify your members which are upon this earth V5
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Put off:
Anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication lie not one with another V8-9
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Put on:
The new man, which is renewed in knowledge, bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another, forgiving one another, charity V 10-14
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Peace of God V15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
How do we conduct ourselves as believers in Christ?
Colossians 3 gives us three things to do. Seek those things which are above, set your affections on things above, and mortify (kill) your members which are on the earth.
Then we are instructed to put off a list of wicked, sinful, character qualities, and put on a list of Godly, spiritual, Biblical, character qualities.
Our testimony for Christ is directly related to the character qualities we present to others. If we fail to exhibit characteristics of love, patience, mercy, humbleness, meekness, forgiveness, we will not be a good witness for Jesus Christ.
God desires us to walk close to Him, proclaim the good news of the gospel message, and pray for the lost to come to Christ.
Each of us has a part to play. Will we be obedient to God’s call?
6) SPIRITUAL TRUST (PROVERBS 3:5-6)
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7) SPIRITUAL CLEANSING (1 JOHN 1:9)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
We now come full circle to where we began. God rules. God knows everything. He sees all.
The question is, will we trust Him with our whole heart?
Proverbs 3:5-6 challenges us to trust God with all thine heart, then to lean not unto thine own understanding, then to acknowledge Him in all thy ways, and allow Him to direct our paths.
We will only be able to do this if we believe God rules, knows, and sees all. Then we place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation. Then we will be able claim the promise of Proverbs 3:5-6.
Another promise that God gives to us is His forgiveness. If we are willing to confess, repent, turn the opposite direction from our sin, He will forgive us, and will continue to give us opportunity to serve Him.
We are His children and He loves us. He wants to bless us. He wants us to forsake our sin and trust Him without reservations.
Will we?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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