Living with a New Attitude

One of the best ways to live a better life is to have a better attitude. When we are followers of Jesus Christ, we are new creatures. Therefore, we can have a renewed attitude concerning every aspect of our life. We are also instructed about the kind of attitude that we should have. It is the kind of attitude that will give us a new approach to life and result in a lasting freshness in our lives.

In Philippians chapter 2, Paul writes we should not have an attitude common to fallen humanity, but rather, to have the same attitude that Jesus had. We should approach life as Jesus did. Our natural way is to make our decisions and act out of selfishness and conceit, looking out for our interests and considering ourselves as more important than others. In other words, we have a prideful, selfish attitude that almost always puts our own needs and desires first. This type of attitude is sure to lessen the quality of our lives because it will harm our relationships and leave us discontent and always wanting something more. We are told to have the same attitude as Jesus. However, this attitude is entirely different from our normal attitude.

Jesus had every reason to be proud, be full of Himself, and revel in the fact that He is God. Jesus, however, did not try to hold on to His “status” as God. Instead, He emptied Himself of His glory. He took on human flesh and came to earth as a baby. He had an attitude of humility, demonstrated from the very moment of His birth in an animal stable. His first bed was a feeding trough for animals. He had a humble arrival and grew up in a simple family and a not-so-special town.

Throughout His earthly life, He demonstrated the heart of a servant, coming, “not to be served, but to serve.” He was totally obedient to the Father, even to the point of sacrificing His life for the sake of humanity. He was selfless, not selfish; obedient, not self-willed; not looking to gain all, but willing to give all.

The same Jesus who lived the example of the right attitude every day now lives in the hearts of those who have given their lives to Him. The Holy Spirit can empower us to live this out.

It’s a new year, and now is the time to live out a new attitude of selfless, sacrificial love, and to be transformed every day by it.

Prayer for the Day

God what are you showing me? What am I going to do about it?
God help me to see one person that I can serve through a kind word, random act of kindness, or simple gift today?
Make sure you complete the reading or comment today.

Read The New Testament In A Year

Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.” They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet: “ ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! Acts 28:17-31

Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.” “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.” I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. But he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!” Then he instructed me, “Do not seal up the prophetic words in this book, for the time is near. Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.” “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book. He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. Revelation 22:6-21