Attitude is not a private thing. It is always displayed by external relationships. The 'attitude' of an aircraft describes how it lines up with the horizon, flight path or glide path. The 'attitude' of a ballet dancer is a classical position in which the body and legs are held in a particular position relative to each other. Personal attitude shows in a combination of body language and manner of speech when interacting with another individual or a group.

Although attitude is an observed end result, it is formed by deep desires. Selfishness, ambition, vanity and conceit are invisible, but they produce recognisable attitudes - none of which characterised the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed the opposite was true; He demonstrated such a sacrificial love for others that He willingly submitted to crucifixion in order to atone for people's sins. That was the attitude which showed His deep desires and exposed our shallow pretence of niceness.

The world outside of Christ does not work like that. Have you seen the business where 'dog eats dog'; offices where people are frightened of being 'stabbed in the back'; friendships which last as long as people get what they want; and the sweet charade which masks a throbbing hatred? Needless to say, (but Paul thinks it is really necessary to say it), the followers of Jesus should never be like that. Indeed, the believer in the office, factory, farm, airport or theatre company should be identifiable by their attitude. And when Christians get together at work, their attitude of mutual caring, support and cheerful, hard-working endurance is a primary witness to the Christ-like love in their hearts. So, today might well be the time to ask the Lord to work His grace into your heart, so that the life of Christ might be seen where you live and work.

Prayer: Gracious God. Thank you for all Your love for me, displayed in the attitude of the Lord Jesus. Please work in my heart to root out all those things that make me seek my own advantage at the expense of others, and give a deep desire to love others as You have loved me. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.