Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– John Maxwell
An Attitude of Gratitude
I believe every Christian has a choice, a choice to have an attitude of gratitude or an attitude that is negative and joyless. Joyless Christians are not much fun to be around. I know, as I’ve been one before. Paul writes that since “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16), we should have joy, “for the joy that was set before him [He] endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” or complete (John 15:11), so we should be the most joyful people on the planet because we’ve been redeemed and granted eternal life. Gratitude is not a feeling; it is a choice!
An Attitude of Service
Here is an amazing statement by our Lord, Jesus Christ: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28). He washed the dirty, smelly feet of the disciples, including the one who would betray Him. If Jesus came to serve and He is God, how can we not have an attitude of service!? He asks, “Who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serve” (Luke 22:27)? His bottom line is this: “Whoever wants to be first must be your slave” (Matt. 20:27). But the way the world thinks, it’s the other way around. Consider the fact that “he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Phil. 2:7).
An Attitude of Devotion
Paul instructed the church at Rome to “love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom. 12:10) and the church at Philippi to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Phil. 2:3-4). The idea of being devoted to one another is a personal choice and decision more than it is a feeling. It takes true humility, or it won’t work.
Conclusion
As Mr. Maxwell said, we choose what attitudes we have right now, and it’s a continuing choice, so make the decision to have an attitude of gratitude. Choose an attitude of serving, and choose to be devoted to one another.
