March 5 A Winning Christian Attitude Philippians 3:7-14
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had al-ready attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:7-14)
A winning Christian attitude includes a positive attitude about ourselves, God, the church, and others! The same victorious life that was enjoyed by the Apostle Paul is available today to every believer in our Lord Jesus Christ. Folks, just like you and I, can become mighty in the Spirit of the Lord, and develop a heart of a “Overcomer,” when we give ourselves over to the mind and the Spirit of the Lord. I’m reminded of a story of a grocery store owner who overheard a young boy using the pay phone at the entrance of his store. You know how telephone conversations are; you usually hear only one side of the conversation. The young boy was talking and the store manager was listening, “Hello, sir, I was calling you to see if you could use a lawn boy to do your yard work!” “Oh, I see, you already have one!” “Well, is he doing your work to your satisfaction?” “He is! Thank you sir, I was just checking,” then the young boy hung up the phone. The grocery store owner looked at the boy and said, “Sorry you didn’t get the job!” “Oh, no sir,” said the boy. “I’ve already got that job. I was just calling to check up on myself!” As a Christian we are constantly in need of taking self-inventory, and what a wonderful scripture text that this is for our task. In order to have a winning Christian attitude, we must first have dissatisfaction in our life. That may sound a bit strange, but in order to turn to the Lord, we must first be dissatisfied with the status quo, and be willing to have a change of heart. Unfortunately, many Christians today have become satisfied in their walk with the Lord, or their lack of a walk. They no longer move forward with Christ, but are content to just sit and soak up like a sponge on a pew. Late one night, a mother & father were awakened by a loud noise that came from their son’s bedroom. Rushing into their son’s room, they found their son had fallen out of his bed. Comforted by his parents, the little boy said, “I guess I fell asleep too close to where I got in!” That’s a commentary for us, on the spirituality of many Christians today. They fall asleep too close to the place where they entered into their personal relationship with the Lord. The Apostle Paul lost his old life of sin and he gained his new life with Christ. He was dissatisfied with his old self, but he became very satisfied with his salvation. Yet, he was not ever satisfied with his personal walk and growth in the Lord. Paul was always aware of his need to go deeper in his walk with the Lord, and he never permitted himself to become content with his spiritual attainments. Paul’s salvation was not just an experience of the moment. Many people think you can just go down some church isle to the altar and have an experience with the Lord, be carried to new heights and see some vision, and that’s it. But it’s not just for a moment! Your Christianity is for a life-time; daily walking in dependence upon the Lord. Do you have that winning Christian attitude this morning? If not, could it be that God’s Holy Spirit is trying to get you back into the game for God? If you have placed your faith and trust in Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can, this morning have the confidence and assurance of knowing that you can have a winning Christian attitude and nothing can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Psalm 19:14 says it clearly, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer!” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!