Christ-Like Attitude (4): Love

For God so Loved us and He gave us Christ who exemplified the kind of Love we should show towards all mankind.

The central truth of the Christian lifestyle is that of Love (John 3:16). Love for God, Love for Neighbors, and Love for ourselves (Matt 22: 37-39). 

If we Love God we will seek to please Him and do all that promotes His Glory on Earth and that which makes Him Happy. Christ Loved God that in All He did, He ensured that it was to His Fathers Glory and that the Almighty was pleased with Him (John 14:15-26).

If we love our Neighbor we promote peace and show the Love of God working through us. Christ shows us how to love our Neighbors by the numerous acts of kindness and compassion He showed towards individuals and His ultimate sacrifice for Mankind on the cross. He was willing to go the extra mile to make a Sacrifice whiles we were yet Sinners (Romans 5:6-7).

If we Love ourselves we are confident in our Identity in Christ and are willing to suffer shame for Him knowing that He lives in us and we are not trying to please men. For Christ to accomplish all he did,for Him to love God and love His neighbor (Sinners Like Us) He knew who He was, He knew His identity  he knew His purpose, He knew His calling. He did not waver but stood by His belief and principles (Philippians 2: 5-11). To be able to accomplish our destinies we need to Identify our purpose, stand by its conviction and be confident in who God has made us to be. Then we can Love God with all our Heart and Soul and also show love and compassion to our Neighbor.

My Prayer is that as Christians we will continue to grow in the fullness of love and avoid the trap of pride and give ourselves to be led and used by God Almighty. 

Maranatha. Remain Blessed.

Christ-Like Attitude (4): Integrity

Integrity is a character quality of someone who has sound moral judgment. They don't compromise truth. They deal honestly with others. Integrity can only be achieved by listening to the Holy Spirit. Integrity is something that you prove you have during difficult situations. It is being able to make the right decision even though it may cost you something. If know in your heart that you made the right decision, you don't have to worry about getting caught or exposed. Walking with integrity is one of the best ways to prove that you are become more mature in your walk with Jesus. - Culled from YouVersion

“Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!” (1 Peter 3:13-17)

“And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.” (Titus 2:7-8)

It is easier to try and compromise, but the truth sets us free. Most times integrity has to deal with our own attitudes when no one is looking. We have to stand strong on what we believe at all times. I once heard a Christian brother challenge himself to pay street parking even when he knew clearly that the officials were on strike and him parking there could be for hours or even days without a parking ticket, yet he paid - Now that’s integrity.

We have to challenge ourselves daily to develop integrity, in that way we would not be afraid that we had done or said something wrong and those who oppose us will be put to shame. I do pray that we continue to develop our christian qualities and our actions will speak louder than words in this World.

Maranatha. Shalom

Christ-Like Attitude (2): Peace

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:26-27)

In this second installment of the series Christ-Like attitude I will like to embrace the attitude of peace. As the above scripture mentions “My peace I give to you,” this means Peace belongs to Christ, it is part of His nature he and He willing bestowed this gift to us and assures us that we should not be troubled.

Another scripture “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”(Romans 5: 1), Assures us that we have Peace with God because we have believed in Christ . Christ Personifies Peace, hence we have this peace through Him.

Further, With the Peace of Christ, there is assurance for the future. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7), Reminds us that through the Peace of God  through Christ Jesus, We are not to be anxious about anything but remember that in us is a kind of peace that makes no sense to the world around us but yet still exists because we carry and feel it.

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God”(Matthew 5:9), A simple analogy I can make here is clear, Christ is the Firstborn of all redeemed and he is our Prince of Peace, and the scripture mentions that if we live in peace we are called children of God. Then we ought to continuously pursue peace regardless of how difficult it is to achieve, for if we persevere we will achieve our goal of Peace.

Finally, Romans 14:17-19 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

When we follow peace we edify one another, what better way to ensure that fellow believers grow in the ways of the Lord. I do pray that though the Holy Spirit the Peace of God will continue to be with us Always. Amen.

Christ-Like Attitude (1): Humility

"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.When He appeared in human form, He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2: 5-11)."

Humility is a key Character for all Christians. Yes, Humility is very difficult to master but possible, and yet one of the best weapons we have in our Arsenal. As Highlighted in italics in the Scripture reading, this was Christ Greatest moment of victory. The results show this, He was Elevated and bestowed the Highest Honor.

For Christians to be Elevated to any altitude they wish to attain be it Financial, Spiritual, Emotional, Physical, we need to practice Humility to the fullest and on purpose. We need to be determined not to yield to our flesh but to the word of God.

Obedience is a perquisite for humility, Christ Humbled Himself in Obedience to God, regardless of the anguish and pain He knew he will be subjected to. Fellow laborers my encouragement to you is to try make Humility a first nature, yes moments of Pride will arise, but through the Spirit of God and by His Grace let us overcome any tactics of the Enemy.

Remember through Christ we are more than Conquerors, we are Victors. Remain blessed and please feel free to share your bouts with pride and how you plan to or have overcome this with Humility.

Shalom. Maranatha.