Attitude and Altitude
Scheduled for October 19
(Phil 2:5-8 NIV) Your
attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: {6} Who, being in very
nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, {7} but
made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human
likeness. {8} And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and
became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
Motivational
experts are currently using a new buzz phrase: “Your attitude determines your
altitude.” We are told that we need to have that sneering arrogance that just
brushes aside obstacles on our way to success. As Lucy once told Charlie
Brown, “I don’t want any ups and downs. All I want are ups and ups and ups!”
From “trash talking” in sports to “in your face” business attitudes, we are
told that arrogance is the key to success.
Compare
that, if you will, to the attitude shown by Christ Jesus. Paul tells us here
that he was “in very nature” (philosophically, “in essence”) God. What was his
attitude? That he took upon himself the nature of man, and a man of humble
circumstances. Consider then, the change in Jesus: He went from “in very
nature God” to man. Not just man, but humble man. Not just humble man, but
poverty pressed wandering preacher. Not just wanderer, but persecuted. Not
just persecuted, but abandoned. Not just abandoned, but crucified. At this
example we are instructed to consider his attitude. The motivational experts
would seem to be right. That humble attitude, it would seem, cost him
everything -- until Easter Sunday.
(Phil 2:9-11 NIV) Therefore
God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every
name, {10} that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on
earth and under the earth, {11} and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is
Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
We
are often instructed to remember Christ’s death at the time of Communion. I
would invite you to consider what preceded it: the greatest change in
circumstance ever known, from heaven to earth itself. The change was
voluntary; we are instructed to have the same attitude. As we examine
ourselves at this time, may I suggest a few simple questions?
·
Are we too important to take on
the menial tasks in the church? (Have you ever changed diapers in the church
nursery?)
·
Is “status” so important in our
lives that we sacrifice the eternal to achieve appearances?
·
Are we afraid of the embarrassment
we would suffer if we forced ourselves to speak to others about the grace of
God?
