Inspect Your Attitude

Philippians 2:5-8

Motivational experts love the buzz phrase: “Your attitude determines your altitude.” We are told that we need to have that sneering arrogance that just brushes aside obstacles on our way to success. As Lucy once told Charlie Brown, “I don't want any ups and downs. All I want are ups and ups!” From “trash talking” in sports to “in your face” business attitudes, we are told that arrogance is the key to success.

Compare that, if you will, to the attitude shown by Jesus. Paul tells us here that he was God. Yet he took upon himself the nature of a man of humble circumstances. Consider then, the change in Jesus. He went from being “in very nature God” to man. Not just man, but humble man. Not just humble man, but poverty pressed wandering preacher. Not just wanderer but persecuted. Not just persecuted but abandoned. Not just abandoned but crucified. The motivational experts would seem to be right. That a humble attitude, cost Jesus everything, it would seem – until Easter.

We are often instructed to remember Christ's death at the time of Communion. I would invite you to consider what preceded it. The greatest change in circumstance ever known, from heaven to earth. The change was voluntary. We strive to have the same attitude as that of our Lord Jesus.