Don’t miss this month’s Discovering Victory Podcast. This month’s teacher is Dr. D.R. Hubbard sharing a powerful exposition from the book of Colossians. Check it out.
The Attitude of Christ
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” (Phil 2:6)
The mind of Christ looks very different from the opinionated minds of carnal people, especially with regards to relationships. Christ takes the road less traveled; He lays aside His interests and considers the interests of others.
So how does Christ’s attitude toward relationships help us in a practical level?
After studying about the poor relationships between the Jews and the Samaritans, provided me with better understanding of John 4:1-26, and heightens the willingness of Christ to go out of His way to minister to the woman at the well. This is despite that fact Samaritans were a collection of people from other nations mixed with the Hebrew lineage. Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman demonstrated that His talk matched His walk. And serves as a reminder to us in how we can deal graciously with sinners and people not like us.
The Samaritans followed their own version of the law, and there was continuous racial tension between them and the Jews. Therefore, when Jesus asks her for a drink, He was making a bold statement by blatantly disregarding the cultural partiality of Jewish traditions, which at that time dictated Jews should not conduct business with Samaritans.
He goes on to say if, “anyone thirsts,” giving the impression that the kingdom of God extends farther than just the Hebrew culture. That verse helps me understand that it is God’s will is to accept anyone who believes. “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)
The historical account supports that Jesus breaks the cultural presuppositions and demonstrates that caring for a person’s soul is more important than who they are and from where they come. Grace stretches to not only a Samaritan woman, but also one who was openly immoral in her ways.
There is hope for us!
Now that’s the attitude of our risen Savior, it’s an absolute honor to serve an amazing God like Christ. Do we need to adjust our attitudes toward our relationships that testify to Jesus Christ? – Juan Mendez is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves on the ministry team at America’s Keswick. You can email him @ jmendez@americaskeswick.org
Think About This: There is no death of sin without the death of Christ. —John Owen
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Freedom Fighters 