“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had” Romans 15:5
The attitude of the mind can make or break a person. It can be the difference between accomplishing something or giving up. Paul is asking that God may give each believer the same attitude toward each other that Jesus had.
What was the attitude that Jesus had towards others people? It was one of love, compassion, and serving. Jesus showed love towards the Samaritan woman at the well who was living in adultery. He showed compassion to many who were sick. He served the apostles by washing their feet when it was not His duty to do so.
Doing these things are not always easy to do. God will give the endurance and encouragement to do them. The encouragement is to help you want to do these things. When you look at all that God and Jesus has done for you, it becomes an encouragement to do the same for others.
God will also give you the needed endurance. It is time-consuming and energy burning to love and serve other people. This is especially true for those who are not receptive of that love and service, or to those who are abusive in some way. God will give you the strength to keep going forward when everything in you wants to quit.
Jesus went all the way through extreme persecution to the point of death on the cross in His love, compassion, and service for you. His mind was set on the end, not the current troubles and challenges. Imagine how exhausted He was as He was still going to the cross. Yet, it was a joy for Him to do what He was doing, because He knew it was God’s desire and He loved everyone.
Ask God today how you can show love, compassion, and service to others today. Don’t just show it to other believers, but to everyone, including the unlovely God-haters. Put on the mind that Jesus had and accept the encouragement and endurance God is willing to give you.
I pray today that God will strengthen you to love and serve others; that you know the attitude of the mind of Jesus; that your mind will be the same as that of Jesus; that your attitude will be a correct one in everything you do; and that Jesus will draw many to Himself through you.
Leave a Reply