You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Philippians 2:5

What is our attitude like?

I’d like you to first reflect on how you respond to various situations.

• when someone who has been on the wrong path for some time gets caught and is sent to jail for a while
• when you get put in a difficult situations
• if you had a choice to take action in a way that would either benefit you or someone else, what would you do and why?
• if someone makes a mistake with consequences you warned them about
• when someone dies unexpectedly

These are just a few situations that came to mind. Now let’s look at Jesus’ attitude.

What was Jesus’ attitude?

Jesus was literally “the best” and we look to him as an example, we’re even called to be Christ like multiple times in the Bible. Why? Jesus was God’s son, sent to earth to do His will, die for us, save us and spread God’s word to the nations. Jesus is a reflection of God in the flesh. If we can agree that JESUS is good, we can also say GOD is good.

So what are we called to be like?

• Loving
• United
• Tender-hearted
• Compassionate
• Selfless
• Humble
• Servant spirit
• Obedient
• Bright
• Faithful
• Joyful

The list could literally go on and on, this is just what I took from this passage of Philippians 2:1-18. Jesus displayed these qualities day in and day out and through his teachings, his disciples went on to display these as well.

From my list of reflective scenarios, do you think Jesus responds the way you do currently? Are your actions indicative of Christ?

How do we achieve that?

Just as I mentioned, Jesus’ disciples went on to display these qualities he laid out for us in scripture. How did they do that? They followed Him. They walked, talked and ate with him daily. You become like who and what you spend the most of your time with.

How can we do that when Jesus physically walked the earth some 2000 years ago? He’s not out here in the flesh today.

We have His word. His words are printed or digitized, whichever suites your fancy. Isn’t that awesome? Jesus is interwoven into every nook and cranny of the Bible. The Bible is about Jesus. From the very beginning, God knew we needed a savior when the relationship between human and God was severed. It was prophesied that Jesus would come. It was prophesied of his nature too. We know that a sacrifice has to be perfect so that’s what Jesus was.

If we have Jesus in scripture and through prayer, why would we not be following and growing in these qualities? We have no excuse to not opening the word and trusting God to change and mold our hearts to be more like Christ.

Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

1 John 2:6

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1