We’ve all heard it said, “I’m doing alright under the circumstances.” But why should you live under the circumstances, especially if you are a Christian? Living above the circumstances is possible; it’s all about attitude and perspective.
James Calvert (1813-1892), missionary to the cannibals on the Fiji Islands, was approached by the captain of his ship. The captain said, “You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go among such savages.” Calvert answered, “We died before we came.” (attitude)
A young shoe salesmen in Africa wrote to inform his family, “Coming home, nobody wears shoes here.” At the same time, another, in the next village, wrote, “This is great, everybody needs shoes here.” (perspective)
In Romans 1, the Apostle Paul reveals his attitude and perspective of others. He wrote, “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. (Romans 1:14).” Paul viewed himself as a debtor to everyone because he had the gospel and they did not. He had a moral obligation to share it with all.
Secondly, the great apostle’s attitude and perspective of himself is stated in the next verse, “So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. (v.15) The Greek word translated ready means, willing. Paul was willing to be used of the Lord for the work of the ministry.
Finally, we see that Paul had the right attitude and perspective of the Gospel. He said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (v.16).”
Would you like to live above the circumstances of life? It is as simple as adjusting your attitude and perspective. For starters, you will need to consider how you feel about others, yourself, and the gospel.