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Short Sermon #81: CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE & ACTION - Articles on the Christian life

I have on a number of occasions overheard people say, “I am a Christian; I therefore should live a life that’s free of problems.”

That’s an unfortunate attitude! Whenever such people get into problems, as is sure to happen, they complain, “Why should this be happening to me? Why have you left me alone my God?” I don’t think God tolerates this kind of behavior.

A Christian with this kind of attitude finds themselves in perpetual frustration, because they are ill-prepared to deal with problems when they show up. Their weakness arises from their belief that they should never encounter problems in life simply because they are God's children.

Because they don’t expect any problems, such Christians have never sought to understand how Christians could deal with problems; neither do they care. But when problems show up, all they can do is lament.

This should never be the case with you.

God never said Satan will let Christians alone. The truth is that Satan remains totally opposed to every child of God and will do everything within his power to place stumbling blocks across the Christian’s course. Even Jesus Christ was no exception. If you read about His life, you would agree with me that Jesus faced problems at every turn.

A Christian is not defined by freedom from problems; I believe that nobody could be free from them. While I understand that God protects His own, I believe that a number of times He actually rescues them. I also believe that problems build character; they teach good lessons. I would have been damaged if I had never encountered problems in my life.

A Christian is not defined by freedom from problems. Rather, he/she is defined by the way he/she views and deals with them. In this sermon, I am going to give you one attitude and one corresponding action that are, or should be, define the Christian.

Here is the attitude: “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it.” (Daniel 3 Verse 17, NIV). Exactly! It’s true that Christians find themselves in furnaces on many occasions. Some get burnt in the process; but some come out unscathed because God saves them from the fire.

I have given you the appropriate attitude. To achieve victory, however, one has to translate their attitude into action.

One might believe that God is willing and able to deliver them from problems. This however will not make them any different from the one who doesn’t. The difference only comes from the action that one takes on the basis of what they believe. If you are a believer, you ought to implement your belief through the actions that you take. If you don’t take action, then your good attitude will not be of any help to you.

Here is the appropriate action: “The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we're going to drown!’ He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.” (Luke 8:24, NIV).
I am inspired by both the attitude displayed by Jesus Christ and the action that He took. Jesus retained his composure in the midst of problems; that’s attitude.

Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; that’s action. The storm subsided, and all was calm; that’s the result.

Here are three lessons for you: First, you need to trust in God. Second, you need to rebuke the wind and the raging waters. Finally, you need to make your results show.

PRAYER POINT

Prayer Point for Today: That I may face problems in life exactly the way Jesus did during his time on earth.

Heavenly Father, the only assurance I need to move with life is Your presence. In this world everybody faces problems. I understand O God, that sometimes You save me from my problems. I also understand O God, that sometimes Your grace is sufficient for me.

Give me the attitude of those who were thrown into the furnace. How profound were the words they uttered in the midst of their difficulties! They knew that You were able to save them from the fire; they testified as much with their mouths.

The profound part, O God, is when they declared that even if You were not going to rescue them, You would still be their God. That's the attitude that the Christian of this day needs, for so many have departed from Your way because of the problems of life.

May we understand, O God, that as long as You are with us, Your grace shall always be sufficient for us, whatever the problems that we might be facing.

May Your light continue to illuminate my path as long as I am in this world!

In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen.
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