“I’m used to the phrase “positive mental attitude”; is that what you mean?” Not exactly; I am also familiar with that terminology but I have some issues with it. “What issues?” I want to explain this bit first and you might notice the differences. “And if not?” Well we could get into it later. “Okay, go ahead."
By a positive Christian attitude I mean be on the lookout for what you can do to bring God glory under every circumstance. Yeah don’t let the changing scenes of life make you lose focus of what God called you to do. I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what happened to me has helped to spread the Good News. As a result, it has become clear to all the soldiers who guard the emperor and to everyone else that I am in prison because of Christ Phil 1:12, 13(GW). I had noticed Paul’s mode of operation was to get to the synagogue and preach first, and then get to the gentiles, or else get to a place of worship and begin teaching about Christ (Acts 17:1-2, 23).
“What has positive mental attitude got to do with what you quoted?” I said Positive Christian Attitude. Notice how he turns his imprisonment to an opportunity to witness to the soldiers guarding him. “So when these policemen ask for some bribe I should take as opportunity to give them Jesus.” Yes. In fact look at his journey to Rome: On the way his warning was ignored. When everyone got into trouble because of that after much prayer he uses the opportunity to introduce his faith: After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood among them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have sailed from Crete. You would have avoided this hardship and damage. For just last night an angel of God, to whom I belong and whom I serve, stood by me Act 27:21, 23 (ISV)
“But they shouldn’t have been shipwrecked.” Change attitude! The shipwreck simply became an opportunity to take the gospel to the island of Malta. No sitting around and saying “Look what mess these guys’ disobedience brought; I warned them.” After that had happened, other sick people on the island went to Paul and were made well Act 28:9(GW). You may not be able to go out and witness but witness to those who come to you. Confinements because you have a new baby, you working long hours and can’t be in the 40 days evangelism are opportunities to take the gospel to a new focus.
“That’s fine; suppose you are ill and hospitalised?” The stop in Galatia for ill health was Paul’s reason to preach there. You remember why I preached the gospel to you the first time; it was because I was sick Gal 4:13(GNB).
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