REFLECT THE ATTITUDE OF CHRIST - Learning From Others

Learning From Others

In Romans chapter 15, Paul shows that meditating on historical examples can help us to adjust our attitude.  He writes:  "All the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope."  (Romans 15:4) Some of Jehovah's faithful servants in times past needed to correct certain aspects of their attitude.  In general, for example, Job had a fine attitude.  He never attributed evil to Jehovah,m and at no time did he allow suffering to shake his confidence in God.  (Job 1:8, 21, 22)   Yet, he was inclined to justify himself.  Jehovah directed Elihu to assist in rectifying this inclination.  Rather than feeling insulted, Job humbly accepted the need for a change in attitude and readily set about making it. - Job 42:1-6.

Would we react as job did if a fellow Christian kindly told us that we were giving evidence of a faulty attitude?  Like Job, may we never "ascribe anything improper to God."  (Job 1:22) If we suffer unjustly, may we never complain or hold Jehovah responsible for out difficulties.  May we avoid trying to justify ourselves, remembering that no matter  what our privileges may be in Jehovah's service, we are still only "good-for-nothing- slaves." -Luke 17:10.

During the first century, some who listened to Jesus displayed an  improper attitude.  On one occasion, Jesus said something that was difficult to understand.  In response,  "many of his disciples, when they heard this, said:  'This speech is shocking; who can listen to it? ' " Those who spoke in this way clearly had a wrong attitude.  And their wrong attitude led to their ceasing to listen to Jesus.  The record says:  "Owing to this many of his disciples went off to the things behind and would no longer walk with him."  Did all have a wrong attitude?  No.  The record continues:  "Therefore Jesus said to the twelve:  'You do not want to go also, do you?'   Simon Peter answered him:  'Lord, whom shall we go away to?' "  In effect, Peter  then answered his own question:  "You have sayings of everlasting life." (John 6:60, 66-68) What a fine attitude!  When confronted with explanations or refinements in understanding of the Scriptures that we may at first find difficult to accept, would it not be good to display the attitude shown by Peter?  How foolish it would be to stop serving Jehovah or to speak in a manner contrary to "the pattern of healthful words" simply because some things are initially difficult to understand! -2 Timothy 1:13.

The Jewish religious leaders of the first century failed to manifest the mental attitude that Jesus had.  Their resolute determination not to listen to Jesus was demonstrated when he raised Lazarus from the dead.  For any with a right attitude, that miracle would have been proof positive that Jesus was sent from God.  However, we read:   "Consequently the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Sanhedrin together and began to say:  'What are we to do, because this man performs many signs?  If we let him alone this way, they will put faith in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.' " Their solution?  "From that day on they took counsel to kill him."  Besides plotting to kill Jesus, they set out to destroy the living evidence of his being a miracle worker.  "The chief priests now took counsel to kill Lazarus also."  (John 11:47, 48, 53; 12:9-11) How repugnant it would be if we were to foster a similar attitude and become irritated or upset over things about which we really should rejoice!  Yes, and how dangerous!

Next time:REFLECT THE ATTITUDE OF CHRIST - Copying Christ's Positive Attitude

The Watchtower, 2000