Attitude trumps almost everything.
We saw that yesterday as we looked at attitude and IQ. In fact many studies have shown that your attitude is far superior to intellect for future success.
What about the importance of attitude for Christian ministry and service for Christ?
Paul made that clear to the church at Philippi, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross“ (Philippians 2:5-8).
What did Paul have in mind about the attitude of Christ? These three things seem to be dominant.
First, Christ had the attitude of a servant. He became a bond-servant for the people of the world. Though God in the flesh, He gave up His rights for the needs of others.
Isn’t this what God wants us to do in the church? Though we may be the first in the church or the person who gives the most money, God wants us to squelch our rights for the purpose of helping others know Christ.
At my church services, I arrive (with many others) very early in the morning. I watch most Sunday mornings as a man arrives about the same time as I do. He could have any possible parking place, but he deliberately parks as far away as possible so that others might have a convenient place. While this may seem small to us, it is an act of servanthood before God. It conveys a Christ-like attitude.
Second, Christ had a selfless attitude. Selfishness seems to be a dominant part of our human nature.
Years ago, I smiled (or smirked) at those who counseled people to look out for themselves. I smirked because I have never had a problem with taking care of myself. I have had the problem of looking too much for myself and neglecting the needs of others. But Jesus emptied Himself and gave His life for others.
Third, Christ had an attitude of sacrifice. He chose to die for the sins of the world. And, as unthinkable as that was, He chose to die in the most abhorrent way possible, death on a cross. Paul proclaimed Christ in this way, He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
It is this mindset and attitude that conquers the world.