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 laboured 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.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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