Matthew 5:13-16 continuing…

So far in looking at the Sermon On the Mount we have looked only at the “Beatitudes”, and concerning our attitudes. Happiness in Christ is possible as we yield our all and all to Him. I have called these “Beatitudes” “A DISTINCTIVE SPIRITUAL ATTITUDE”, because attitudes are important. “Attitude” meaning ‘the position of something in relation to something else’, and in the case of the Beatitudes would be the position of our attitude in relation to “poverty”; in relation to “mourning”; in relation to “meekness”; etc… Our attitude should be that that will bring glory to our Savior and His Father.

These distinctive spiritual attitudes will then lead us to “A DECISIVE SPIRITUAL ACTION”. What is the work of the Christian? How are we to live? We just learned in the previous studies that we are to be HAPPY, ie. fulfilled in Christ Jesus. Will our attitude determine our action, or at least have an impact on our actions? I certainly believe so.

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” Matthew 5:13 (KJV).

Does one’s attitude have any affect on their actions or behavior? I would think that there are many lives that bear witness to the truth of the statement, “Yes one’s attitude has an affect on their actions and/or behavior”. I know of myself, if I have a bad attitude about something my actions or/and behavior is usually bad. Several years ago I was going to our Associational Children’s Camp at Baptist Hill. I was going so that I could help in the kitchen. That is what I was told they needed me for, and that is what I went for. I had a good attitude about that. However, when we arrived at the Hill, they were short of Counselors; and the counselors had to sleep with the children, play with the children, teach the children, keep the children under control. They then told me they had plenty of kitchen help, “Would you mind being a counselor?” I was there. I was handy. I was sure disappointed.

Please do not misunderstand me. I had purposely gone at other times to be a counselor for children, for a total of about 10 years, and I thoroughly enjoyed it and one year had the privelege of leading about five boys in my room to faith in Jesus. When they asked, I said, “Okay. I will”, but I said it with a whole lot of reservations. None named; only in my attitude. I want you to know, that, I had a long miserable week; and I probably made the boys lives miserable too.

That attitude affected my being salt to those boys. It affected my bright and shining, smiling personality :). I am dreadfully afraid that my salt that week was trampled under foot and some of those boys went home, never to return to any camp again.

Along toward the end of the week I did realize how I had been. I asked God’s forgiveness and I began to have the right attitude, but I still fear that those first two days were torture to some at camp.

A few years later, I volunteered to go back to camp as a counselor. I had the right attitude. I had the love for those boys that I should have had. I enjoyed telling them about Jesus. The week went by so swiftly, it was as though I had never left home. I learned a lot about attitude and behavior or actions that one long week. I am still learning, however.