Change of Attitude

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” Philippians 2:5

When we deeply study Apostle Paul’s letter to Philippians, there was great comfort of love, fellowship of the Spirit, full of tenderness and compassion in the Church at Philippi, which was a Roman colony and leading city of the district of Macedonia. After believing Christ, believers holding the core values of life would rejoice in the Lord being like minded, living with one love, one accord. Whatever they would do, they would not do it for self glory rather each esteemed others better than themselves. Even along with men, women used to join with Paul for preaching the gospel. Their thoughts and actions together were focused on Jesus Christ. But this did not continue for a longer period. Believers started narrowing down their focus on Jesus. Perhaps they came to a lukewarm stage where the attitude of believers slowly changed. At that point of time Paul reminded and asked them, “if really you have experienced Jesus in your personal lives, very much encouraged being united with Him, received any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with His Spirit and any tenderness and compassion than be like minded. Have same love and one spirit and purpose. Let your ambition be for others. Consider others better than yourselves. Be mindful for others.”

Then he continues to say to check the attitude that is harmful to one another in the Church or community. Having said this he reminds them the attitude of Christ Jesus. (V.5). Paul insists to reflect the life of Christ in their own lives first. After exhorting the Philippians to lay aside their personal interests and focus on the needs of others, Paul tells how to follow the example of Christ who did not selfishly cling to the outer expression of His divinity rather took the form of a servant. He identified Himself with the weakest member of the team and demonstrated His humility through obedience to God the Father. He demonstrated His humble service to others and when the time came for Him to die, He submitted to His Father’s divine will. In fact, Paul takes them to the horizon of sky from where Philippians can identify the result of Jesus’ attitude that would deepen their understanding of togetherness; brought them from darkness to light and transformed them from old life to new.

Ups and downs are part of every human being. Many in the past came very closer to the Lord and later became lukewarm in their faith and action. Even some believers’ faith died down. Life became topsy-turvy. Sometimes this happens to us. We cannot deny this. This happens when we allow this to happen.

In fact that is not the end of life if someone is rooted in Christ Jesus. Everything that is lost can be restored in and through Jesus Christ. Because everything is possible, anything can be restored through Jesus who gives us strength (v.13), provided we change our mind or attitude. That is what Apostle Paul speaks to us today through his letter to the Church of Philippi. When adverse circumstances, disunity, or anxiety threaten our joy, this letter provides a powerful tool that can help us fix our focus on Jesus. May the Lord sharpen our attitude help us to focus on Christ Jesus at every moment of our life.

Lalit Mohan Jena

(Lay Preacher)