Have The Attitude Of Christ

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with The Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus..." Philippians 2:1-5 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Philippi to encourage them to be Christ-like, and to be guided by The Holy Spirit, and demonstrate the love of God towards one another.  He told them not to be selfish, but to think of, and to value others more than self, just as Christ did.

Those of us who have been encouraged by being in Christ, who have received comfort from His love, who have received the indwelling of The Holy Spirit, who have been shown the loving kindness and mercy of God, should have and display that same love towards one another.  We should do nothing with selfish ambition or conceit, but we should humble ourselves, and place the interest of others before our own.  We should think, act, and behave as Christ did and follow His example.  To be Christian is to be "Christ-like."  We cannot be perfect like He was and is, but we can strive for the perfect example which He set before us.  

The Word Of God Judges Our Hearts

"For The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."  Hebrews 4:12-14 (NIV)

Here the author of the book of Hebrews describes The Word of God and explains what it can do.  The author also makes it clear that all that God is aware of all that we think, say, and do.  God knows everything and one day we must give an account for everything, including our thoughts and attitudes.

The people who have heard The Word of God and did not believe it, will not enter into His kingdom. (Hebrews 4:2-3)  "While The Word of God is comforting and nourishing to those who believe, it is a tool of judgement and execution for those who have not committed themselves to Jesus Christ." (John MacArthur)  Faithless disobedience to God's Word will not go unpunished.  The same is true for pretenders who go through the motions of religious rituals but have not given their lives to Christ.  It is not enough to say that we believe, our walk and our talk should reflect our belief and faith.  "Our actions speak louder than our words."  God is not fooled, He even knows our motives and our intentions.  We need God to cleanse our minds and hearts, and to create a right spirit within us. (Psalms 51:1-15)