Attitudes Matter???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #475

We live in a very trying world, everyone has an opinion, a reason, a cause, a message; yet what is our heart set on? Our attitude toward truth matters…and Jesus IS truth.  What can we learn from scripture today?  We need to have a Biblical view to have a proper attitude, let’s assess what we see in God’s Word!

“Therefore we ought to give

the more earnest heed

to the things which we have heard,

lest at any time

we should let them slip.

2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast,

and every transgression

and disobedience

received a just recompence of reward;

3 How shall we escape,

if we neglect so great salvation;

which at the first

began to be spoken by the Lord,

and was confirmed unto us

by them that heard him;

4 God also bearing them witness,

both with signs and wonders,

and with divers miracles,

and gifts of the Holy Ghost,

according to his own will?” Hebrews 2:1-4

What’s your answer to this question, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation”?  Over and over again scripture reminds us that we need to choose wisely; there is a test—one for believers in Jesus, and a different test for the unbelievers, the difference is what we each choose to do with this “so great salvation”!

“For we are labourers together with God:

ye are God’s husbandry,

ye are God’s building.

10 According to the grace of God

which is given unto me,

as a wise masterbuilder,

I have laid the foundation,

and another buildeth thereon.

But let every man take heed

how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay

than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation

gold,

silver,

precious stones,

wood,

hay,

stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed by fire;

and the fire shall try every man’s work

of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide

which he hath built thereupon,

he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned,

he shall suffer loss:

but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God,

and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God,

him shall God destroy;

for the temple of God is holy,

which temple ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:9-17

Those who are saved will stand at the “judgment seat of Christ” (see Romans 14:10) to give an account for our deeds done in the flesh, deeds we have done through the Spirit or neglected in our flesh—again it’s about that choose wisely, there is a test!  We who are born again, won’t stand in judgment for our sins which Jesus paid for at Calvary, but rather for what we’ve done for Jesus—have we exhibited the manifestation of the “fruit of the Spirit” or the “works of the flesh”! (See Galatians 5:19-25)

Paul tells us in several places that our task to not let this world wear us down, but to “weary not”; let’s look at two of them.

“Be not deceived;

God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man soweth,

that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh

shall of the flesh reap corruption;

but he that soweth to the Spirit

shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap,

if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity,

let us do good unto all men,

especially unto them

who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:7-10

“For we hear that there are some

which walk among you disorderly,

working not at all,

but are busybodies.

12 Now them that are such

we command and exhort

by our Lord Jesus Christ,

that with quietness

they work,

and eat their own bread.

13 But ye, brethren,

be not weary in well doing.”  2 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Believers are to work and provide for their own, not be lazy and unprodouctiv(my words not Pauls). The Apostle Peter also wrote in his second letter, that we are not only called to avoid the evil, we are to follow the example of those righteous ones who went before us.  Let’s consider what he has to say, as he warns us about the false teachers and prophets who would continue to attempt to lead God’s own astray!  May we be wise and heed God’s Word with an attitude of gratitude, as well as an attitude of wisdom that comes from being in His Word diligently.

“But there were false prophets

also among the people,

even as there shall be false teachers

among you,

who privily shall bring in

damnable heresies,

even denying the Lord

that bought them,

and bring upon themselves

swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways;

by reason of whom the way of truth

shall be evil spoken of.

3 And through covetousness

shall they with feigned words

make merchandise of you:

whose judgment now of a long time

lingereth not,

and their damnation slumbereth not.

4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned,

but cast them down to hell,

and delivered them into chains of darkness,

to be reserved unto judgment;

5 And spared not the old world,

but saved Noah the eighth person,

a preacher of righteousness,

bringing in the flood

upon the world of the ungodly;”   2 Peter 2:1-5

Peter reminds us that Noah was a “preacher of righteousness”; consider that he preached for a hundred years or so, and when the flood came, only eight people escaped—Noah’s family alone.  Noone else believed and received the truth of Noah’s message, and we need to be prepared to live righteous lives no matter what the response of the world is—even of those within the church or close to us.  We are called to follow Jesus no matter the cost.  Our lives are to reflect the righteousness of Jesus no matter the response.  With that thought in mind I leave you with Paul’s reminder to us that we who are born again, have exchanged our sin for Jesus’ righteousness!  Food for thought—that we might be ready for the test!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God,

who hath reconciled us to himself

by Jesus Christ,

and hath given to us the ministry

of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ,

reconciling the world unto himself,

not imputing their trespasses unto them;

and hath committed unto us

the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God did beseech you by us:

we pray you in Christ’s stead,

be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us,

who knew no sin;

that we might be made the righteousness of God

in him.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Ready or not, Jesus is coming again!  What attitude controls you?  Righteousness or worldliness?  It’s your choice but remember there is a test!

Amen and Amen!!!