Paul's Ministry ManualSample

A New Outlook

I'm not much for New Year's resolutions. I learned a long time ago that I don't keep them, at least for very long, so what's the point? They probably work for some people, and more power to them. There is something that I think is more effective than New Year's resolutions, the maintenance of my day-by-day outlook on life. How I see God, myself and those around me is much more important than what I resolve to do at any one moment—and often strongly influences what I do.

The apostle Paul once saw himself as “a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee” (Phil. 3:5). He once “breathed out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples” (Acts 9:1). He kept the law, he honored the law, and he persecuted anyone he thought was calling people away from the law. But all this is changed, as he explains in 2 Corinthians 3:5-11.

Now he sees those things as “the old way, with laws etched in stone, [which] led to death” (v. 7). Now he follows “the new way, which makes us right with God” (v. 9). Paul has a new outlook, and his behavior has radically changed, not because he resolved to change it, but because his whole view of life had been altered from the inside out. 

Paul’s outlook on his qualifications has also changed. He describes his qualifications like this in Phil. 3:4, “If others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more.” However, here he writes to the Corinthians that he is unqualified to serve God (v. 5). That is a radically new outlook.

Do you ever feel unqualified to serve God? You are in good company. The apostle Paul would put his arm around your shoulders and say: “You, dear brother, may be able to serve the Lord effectively”; “Dear sister, you have an outlook that the Lord likes in his servants.” If, on the other hand, you feel qualified and adequate, you need to be careful. Serving the Lord is not a matter of natural qualifications, but “our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant” (v. 6). If God wants you to serve Him in any way, He takes the responsibility of equipping you—and He can do it.

How is your day-by-day outlook on life? Are you living and serving the Lord with a new outlook? Are you depending on the qualifications He gives? Feed your mind on the Scriptures each day, depend on the Lord, commit yourself to this new biblical outlook, and live expecting the Lord’s help.

Prayer: Lord, if I need my outlook adjusted, give me what it takes for that to happen. Let me, morning by morning, turn my heart to You and live in dependence on You through the day. Do it for Your glory.