Philippians 7: Check the attitude

So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.       Philippians 2:12-13 (WEB)

It would seem Paul is writing to fellow Believers as he calls them, “beloved”, as if he knows them and their hearts. So Paul’s reference to working on their salvation couldn’t be about redemption. It would seem to be about being obedient to one’s faith. With Jesus as our example(remember 2:8), we must walk out our faith with diligence and persistence. Like working in a field (a popular metaphor of Jesus!), if we work diligently we will bring in a harvest.

God desires that I live my life in the best possible way. That means I live for His good pleasure, not my selfish wants. But I cannot do it alone. It is a balanced life. I choose to obey. God works in me to give me the strength to be obedient and empower that persistence I need. He helps to adjust – my attitude.

Do all things without murmurings and disputes, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world, holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn’t run in vain nor labor in vain.      Philippians 2:14-16 (WEB)

Paul warns me to watch my attitude. A bad attitude shows itself from the inside as I murmur and then spills over into my life with others as disputes boil.

It is easy to see bad attitudes in others. We all have them as negative language and ‘stinking thinking’ seeps in when we least expect. It’s like pollution that comes in the window when I leave it cracked open. The pessimism that is spouted from the news media, in the hallways of schools and businesses, and even around family dinner table is pervasive and deadly.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, my attitude is to be positive, compassionate, encouraging, and loving. It will not seem ‘normal’ and encourages that notion that I am alien in the world. My model will be Jesus.

Paul says as I am obedient in my attitude I am to be blameless. I am not to be a hypocrite.. I am to be an innocent with clean motives and possessing integrity.

God does not tell me that I will be a princess but that I should never allow myself to be a ‘little light’ or lukewarm in my faith. Jesus says my light will serve to to show others who He truly is. A simple task could be that moment when another person allows the Holy Spirit to take and change my life,.