Attitude Adjustment

Attitude Adjustment

The more that we exert ourselves in physical activity the more we will perspire. The more we perspire the more we, and others around us, become aware of the odor we give off. This is true in the spiritual realm as well. The more stress in our lives the more there is an opportunity for anxiety. When anxiety is present we can give off an odor of worry and fear. But the Apostle Paul says our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God, therefore instead of fear and worry we can give off the fragrance of Christ which is like a sweet perfume. Is this really possible?

As I write this my wife is preparing to fly to St. Louis. Our daughter Katherine is pregnant – her due date was three days ago! Katherine had a difficult delivery in her first pregnancy 2 ½ years ago and we have been a bit concerned for this one. We learned this morning that Katherine’s husband has the flu. What if Katherine’s gets the flu? Now there is something else to worry about. So, what will Cheryl take with her to St. Louis? Will the spirit within her be giving off an odor of fear and worry? Or will her spirit give off the Christ-like fragrance of the peace of God?

At times like this I remember that the Life in Christ is about an attitude adjustment -- be transformed by the renewing of your mind is the way the Apostle Paul put it in Romans 12 – because it is so easy to drift away from the truth. Before you realize it the Christian life is reduced to trying to live by a moral code. “It's crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we've heard so that we don't drift off” is how the writer of the book of Hebrews puts it. (Hebrews 2:1 The Message)

When I need an attitude adjustment I like to re-read "Principals of Spiritual Growth" by Miles Stanford. In his book Stanford list some of the attributes of The Attitude of the Child of God Under Grace:

To believe you are a child of God, and to consent to be loved while unworthy, is the great secret.
To refuse to make resolutions and vows; for that is to trust in the flesh.
To expect to be blessed, though realizing more and more lack of worth.
To "hope to be better" (hence acceptable) is to fail to see yourself in Christ only.
To be disappointed with yourself, is to have believed in yourself.
To be discouraged is unbelief, as to God's purpose and plan of blessing for you.
The lack of Divine blessing, therefore, comes from unbelief, and not from failure of devotion.
To preach devotion first, and blessing second, is to reverse God's order, and preach law, not grace.
The law made the child of God's blessing depend on devotion; Grace confers undeserved, unconditional blessing; Our devotion may follow, but does not always do so, -in proper measure.

I have found these attributes helpful in developing an understanding of the Life in Christ. I hope you do also.

Selah

\O/
Alex