“Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.”
Our choices, the way we wage war, determines how are attitudes are displayed. In 2 Corinthians, Paul enlightens Christians to live in the world but be different from its people.
We as Christians have lost this sense of servant hood by choosing to live in bad moods, stress, and foolish conducts. This is making our example repulsive even with those we share this world with. Joyce Meyer said that “This is the day of great rejoicing only you stand in your way.” Ironic to think that we have anything to do with our own happiness, most of the time feelings that the frustrations are inflicted by everyone else, contributing to our own happiness is required.
Christians are needed to love others and to make right choices when they might be the harder choice to make. Their attitudes should reflect a life of love and righteousness. Attitudes are contagious; if one person is angry they might vent their anger to another causing everyone relating to the attitude displayed. But if a person is in a good mood they will rejoice proclaiming what has happened making everyone intrigued.
Jesus is encouraging His people to always Love Him, and to Love His people. The attitude we display can either be optimistic attitudes or pessimistic attitudes. The three attitudes that can make us different from the world and provoking us to optimism are an attitude of gratitude, an attitude of love and an attitude of peace. By adjusting our attitudes to be optimistic we can prove ourselves to be Christians living in the world but not apart of it.
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
An attitude of gratitude is being thankful; being thankful will acknowledge your appreciation for the things we are blessed with. Being grateful humbles a person, making the person awarding to be with. Making the most of everything and being grateful, the mood will be humbling. Also spurring people on to be grateful is very rewarding. In Jesus times, Jesus would talk bread and a fish and feed five thousand, what a remarkable thing to do. Being hungry for a while and at the first taste of food your stomach is so grateful and satisfied.
Satisfaction is another reward. Being satisfied is such a good feeling, knowing that everything is right. God was satisfied when creating His perfection, He was so thankful that everything praised and honored his name. He was so grateful that God gave his people the whole earth to labor on for His glory.
Unfortunately man wasn’t as grateful and sin formed, causing the perfect world to stumble and God to wait to share His gift which He first provided. An attitude of gratitude used the right way will bring satisfaction, and humbling. Gratitude is a form of love; most people are thankful due to satisfaction, or love.
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love which binds them together in perfect unity.”
About 60 to 62 AD Paul wrote to believers in Colosse during house arrest. Colosse was a country or place which is now known as Turkey. Paul would encourage the believers to bear with one another by having an attitude of love. Unity is formed between Gods people when a love is present. Believers have the freedom to believe in Christ and those who believe form a unity sticking together for this cause. Not every believer has an attitude of love, it is a responsibility that Paul and Jesus encourages us to bear.
“Two are better then one….”
Solomon encouraged believers with this saying. Solomon obviously understood the asset of people and understood that they need to be unified for Gods purpose. Solomon was wise and understood love. By training the mind to be content with life and being able to enjoy it can develop love. Putting on love can limit a complaining manner which can allow peace to rule in the heart by dismissing the hate that most people live with daily. Practicing love instead of malcontent can benefit those who pursue peace – a peaceful attitude.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
By writing this verse Paul testifies that as believers we were called to peace. Acquiring peace is difficult. We live in a world where worrying, being hurried, and stress reign. Those are the peace stealers that corrupt us by making us hostile. Jesus is our true example of peace. Jesus best shows peace during His time on the cross; most would be met with fear of dying, worrying, and pain. Jesus on the cross blessed those who were treating Him badly and looking forward to going home. He didn’t get upset, instead He maintained a peaceful attitude toward these inflictions. Thankfulness is a satisfied feeling – that attitude is representation of peace. Peace is completeness, totality, fulfillment, maturity, soundness, wholeness, harmony, security, well-being, prosperity. These are defining attributes to successfully acquiring a peaceful attitude. Having peace can make being thankful and loving a more sufficient.
“No plan can succeed the Lords.”
God is above all, the final, never-ending God! Attitudes should be displayed differently because God is living in us. Understanding that God is our God; and His attitude should be mimicked can change our attitude.
“Perseverance must finish its work so you may be mature and complete not lacking anything.”
Part of maturity is a good attitude. Completeness is the benefit of a mature person. Practice loving God by practicing an attitude of gratitude, love and peace. Be contagious in an optimistic way, love and be thankful may you acquire peace.
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