THE FAITH ATTITUDES OF PAUL

THE FAITH ATTITUDES OF PAUL

(Message of Pastor Peter Tanchi, Christ's Commission Fellowship)

Whether we like it or not, we impact and influence people either positively or negatively. A negative person sees the gray clouds, while a positive person sees the silver lining behind them. Two persons encountering the same problem may differ in response. It is attitude that draws the line. Our behavior is simply the external manifestation of our inner attitudes. This is reflective of the faith operating in a person's life, or the lack of it. We definitely can get pointers from Paul. Paul's faith honed his convictions and motivations that in turn shaped his positive attitudes and behavior.

POSITIVELY PATIENT

Paul's positive disposition is evident as expressed in Philippians 1:6: “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Paul gave people room for improvement. For sure, God is at work in every single life. Salvation from the penalty of sin is just the beginning. But salvation from the power of sin is what He continues to do on a daily basis until our time on earth is up through the principle of sanctification or the process of transformation.

Are you impatient with people who seem to be making slow progress in their spiritual walk? Or could it be that your eyes are growing dim for the changes you've been hoping to see in your own life? Every Christian is a work in progress. God is not One to leave something unfinished. He simply cannot and will not give up on us. Using every means at His disposal - be it problems, people, painful circumstances or the power of His Word in the Bible, He will polish our rough edges to mold our character toward Christlikeness. God is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. We can be secure in our eternal future, not because of our faithfulness, but God's.

POSITIVELY THANKFUL

To be positive is to be thankful in the middle of the worst possible scenario, believing that God can use it to open doors of opportunities to either bless us or use us to bless others. That was what happened to Paul, who says, “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear” (Philip. 1:12-14).

Being in chains has served to further the gospel, for through him, the praetorian guards watching him were added to the church of believers. More people came to know Christ as other early Christians were encouraged to proclaim God's Word as Paul's fearless example inspired them. This account just proves that the Word of God cannot be shackled. Being in jail for no personal offense of his but for the cause of Christ could have caused Paul to wallow in self-pity or clench his fist against God. Paul's positive attitude came to the fore when he instead looked for opportunities to serve God even in the confines of a prison cell. His love for God made him respond in faith, which turned an unfavorable situation to something favorable. To which he quips, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

POSITIVELY JOYFUL

Spirituality and pure motives do not always inhabit every Christian. Even in ministry, there can be strife because of envy and selfish ambitions, as Paul cites in Philippians 1:15-18: “Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice.” People are beyond our control, but how we respond to them is within our capacity. Responding correctly is possible where faith is centered on the power of God to change difficult people and overturn unsavory situations. Paul understood that the secret to happiness is to have Jesus as your source of joy. It is vital to focus on Christ so as not to be sidetracked or lose the joy of serving God.

POSITIVELY ZEALOUS

Properly motivated, anyone can become positively zealous. Someone who has received from God will give back to God by serving Him with passionate determination. It transcends the call of duty, turning into a privilege to be enjoyed. Paul's faith left his fate to God, knowing that He is in complete control. So in and out of season, mobile or behind bars, he preached and proclaimed. Paul explains: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. And convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again” (Phil. 1:21-26).

Out of zealousness for Christ, Paul was pulled in two directions; he was torn between living and dying. He wanted to live longer, not for self-serving reasons, but rather for the advancement of Christ's cause. One lifetime seemed too short for the work he wanted to put in for the gospel to be spread far and wide. In life or in death, Christ was his sole motivation.

How do we develop the positive faith attitudes demonstrated by Paul? Paul's prescriptive formula is: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philip. 1:21). If we live for anything other than Christ, we stand to lose everything even in death. As Matthew 16:26 says, "For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul?” May we have the faith that motivated Paul to positively and faithfully follow the Lord. And may we allow Paul's attitudes to rub off on us.