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Five Attitudes That Edify
John Maxwell tells a great story about a woman, Thelma, who moved with her husband to a military training center in the middle of the Mojave Desert.
She lived in a one-room shack in the unbearable heat–125 degrees in the shade of cacti. She was lonely with no one to talk to. Thelma hated it. One day she wrote to her parents and told them she was giving up and coming home. She said she would rather be in jail. The 2-line letter her mother wrote back changed her life…
Two men looked out from prison bars
One saw the mud, the other saw the stars
When Thelma reread these lines a few times, she felt ashamed and decided that she would try to see the stars in her present situation. She made friends with the natives and took an interest in their weaving and pottery. She learned about the their customs, different forms of cacti, and the habits of the prairie dogs. Her life transformed. The Mojave Desert hadn’t changed but she had.
Yesterday we introduced the word of the week “Edify.” Today consider these 5 attitudes the Edify. Build. Improve. And make a difference in the lives of others.
#1 The Attitude of Love
The Bible says, Knowledge puffs up, but loves edifies” (1Cor. 8:1) Love is the basis for all other constructive attitudes. Love says, I care about you. I want to help you. I want to encourage you. I’m interested in you.
Love edifies when is exhibits the fifteen qualities of 1 Corinthians 13. Love is kind. Patient. Unselfish. And looks for a way of being constructive. Love edifies.
#2 The Attitude of Respect
There is a general lack of respect today among different social, economic and racial groups. It is seen in Washington. In our communities. Homes. And too often in our churches.
The Bible exhorts, “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake (1 Thess. 5:10-13)
The attitude of respect, esteem and honor should not only be
expressed toward our leaders, but all of God’s people. The apostle Paul
commanded, “Give preference to one another in honor (Rom 12:17)
#3 Attitude of Service
Ephesians 4:12-16 teaches that every member of the body of Christ has a function. A part. A place. A means to minister. When that happens, Paul says, “the body edifies itself in love.”
Jesus taught, “He that is greatest among you shall be the servant of all” (Mt. 23:11). It is true. Because serving others edifies!
#4 The Attitude of Peace
Too often the Christian community has displayed to the world a divisive spirit. One that tears down. Causes confusion. Fractures fellowship. And is a breeding group for murmuring, grumbling and gripping.
The Bible simply admonishes us all to “pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. (Rom 14:19). Unlike little children that often delight in irritating and aggravating their siblings, brethren in Christ look for those things that calm. Encourage. Ennoble. And provide an atmosphere of serenity. Solace. And comfort.
#5 The Attitude of Cooperation
The Jerusalem Christians were of “one accord” (Ac 2:26). One mind. One heart. One soul. They worked together. Prayed together. Shared with each other. And put aside differences for the cause of Christ.
What if brethren in all churches followed this Biblical exhortation? “Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification” (Rom 15:2) Think how much more could be accomplished? And what a great spirit of unity and harmony would prevail.
Love. Respect. Service. Peace. Cooperation. These attitudes edify. But don’t wait for others to change. Let it begin with you. No matter how bleak your situation. Look for the stars. Edify others. And your will be blessed.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
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