An executive for Southwest Airlines once pointed out that their company hired attitudes. He explained that they could train people to do the rest. It was the attitude that they looked for first and foremost. Perhaps we should take some time to examine our own attitudes. The Bible has a lot to say about the outlook we should have on life. Let’s look at some of this teaching.

First, we should have an attitude of humble service. Jesus set the example for this when he washed his disciples’ feet in the upper room (John 13). He did this to teach us that we should not be too proud to serve but should look for humble deeds to perform for others.

I heard about an airline pilot who scrubbed communion stains out of the pews in his church. I also read about a doctor whose job in his congregation was to clean the bathrooms. These successful people did not think it was beneath them to do menial jobs in the kingdom. So, the next time you have a chance to do something simple, yet meaningful, don’t hesitate to jump right in and help. After all, Jesus didn’t come to be served, but to serve. Let’s follow the Lord’s example with our humble service.

Second, we should have an attitude of gracious acceptance of other believers. Romans 14:4 says, “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”

One of Jesus’ greatest desires was for unity in the church (John 17). Yet the church has a long history of division and strife. Ironically, the group of churches that I have long been affiliated with started out as a unity movement but has since split into 3 different groups!

Don’t get me wrong! We must stand against false doctrine. However, we need to understand that someone doesn’t have to be our twin to be a brother or sister in Christ. Non-believers are much more likely to be drawn to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ if they see a group of believers that are united in their faith. So, let’s try to develop an attitude of acceptance toward other Christians.

Third, we should have an attitude of love toward our enemies. This is becoming increasingly important as our culture continues its downward slide. As society becomes more evil, people are becoming bolder in their rejection of God and Christianity. As many church leaders have pointed out in the past few years, the church no longer enjoys home field advantage. The church in the United States has more enemies in their own community than ever before.

So, how will we treat these enemies? Jesus says to love them (Matthew 5:43-48). This does not mean that we agree with them. It means that we express our disagreement as kindly and as lovingly as we can. We may never win some of them over, but we won’t win them over with hatred—that’s for sure.

Finally, we need an attitude of decisive allegiance to Jesus Christ. The Bible contains no promises for those who once followed Jesus but have now fallen away (Matthew 13:21). The promise of salvation is reserved for those who are faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10).

I hope you understand that your attitude is very important. It always has been. It always will be.

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 2:5.