ATTITUDES 1. Introduction Christianity is a spiritual religion and attitudes are of the greatest importance.  God’s attitude toward man and man’s attitude toward God.  How God feels toward man and how man feels toward God are very important.  We need to study God Himself, as well as His will.  We need to know about God Himself , as well as His will for us.  But, mere academic knowledge of God is not enough.  Everyone needs to understand and be impressed with his personal relationship to the personal God. 2. Knowing God a. The Jews divided their commandments into greater and lesser.  Some said the law of circumcision was the greatest, others said sacrifices, etc.  They wanted to keep what they considered the greatest instead of keeping them all.  So, when Jesus was asked the question which was greatest, Deuteronomy 6:5 was quoted.  (Read Matthew 22:34- 38).  A demand for supreme love for God was the greatest because it embraces all others.  First because it precedes the second that He is about to name. b. If we love God supremely , we will not live in disobedience to Him.  Love of God is the very foundation of Christian life.  But, in order to develop this supreme love for God, one has to know and  understand Him. c. Jesus  tells us in John 6:45 that : “and they shall all be taught of God.”  But, God teaches concerning Himself.  This He does through His Son, Jesus  Christ.  John 1:18 states: “no one has seen God at any time, the only begotten son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.”  The Son is the great and ultimate interpreter of God. d. Note the importance of knowing God.  “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3).  The knowledge of God as manifested in Jesus Christ is the first requisite to salvation and eternal life.  How could anything be anymore important than that? e. God does not exist merely to point us to the Bible, but the Bible exist to lead us to the Father and to the Son.  If we study the Bible just because we are supposed to, but don’t develop a relationship with and an understanding of God and Jesus Christ, we are not really accomplishing very much.  God and His word belong together.  God apart from His word is God cancelled.  God with His word is God revealed.  The Bible apart from the personal God is alike a book without an author. 3. God’s Attitude Toward Man a. The basis of God’s interest and attitude toward man is found in Gen.1:26 where we find the fact that God created man in His own image.  Man is not a mere animal.  The creator made a significant distinction between the beast of the field and man.  He allowed man to have dominion over the fish, the birds, the cattle, and over all the earth and every creeping thing upon the earth. b. God has always regarded man as the highest order of creation.  This should have much meaning to us. From the very first, God provided for man’s needs and his happiness.  (Gen 1:29-30) Also, safeguards were thrown around man to keep him from evil.  (Gen 3:2-3)  We have a safeguard today in Christ Jesus. c. God’s chief concern has always been for man whom he created in His own image.  I Peter 5:7 tells us to “cast all your care upon Him for He cares for you.”  Paul assures us that God has loved us in spite of what we are; “without strength,” “ungodly,” “sinners”. (Romans 5:6-8).  To those who love Him God has promised that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28) .  Paul writes one of the greatest assurances that God ever gave His people when he said “God is for us.” (Romans 8:31) 4. Man’s Attitude Toward God (mankind in general) a. One of man’s most fundamental  errors is the failure to recognize God as God.  Paul said in Romans 1:21 “although they (Gentiles) knew of God they did not glorify Him as God.” b. Millions who give some recognition to God fail to respond to Him as God.  They are unwilling to give Him the place in their lives which belongs to God as their creator, preserver, benefactor and judge. c. Even we who claim much knowledge of  God fail many times to give Him the reverence, the allegiance, the trust and the love which He so richly deserves.  God told Israel in Jeremiah 2:32 “yet  My people have forgotten Me days without number.”  Could He say the same thing about many of us today? d. Many refuse to entertain any serious thought of God.  Paul tells us in Romans 1:28: “they did not like to retain God in their knowledge.”  Others, like the deceived Eve, regard God as standing in the way of progress and happiness and therefore as man’s enemy. 5.  My Attitude Toward God a. We need to ask ourselves the question:  What is my attitude toward God?  All the things we know about God and His will are not worth much unless our attitude toward Him is right.  Do we take God serious enough to either dislike Him or to love Him? b. Many have neglected the study of God and have separated God from the Bible.  His word is sacred, but only because it is HIS WORD.  We need to get God and His word together and make Him our personal God for all time. c. Perhaps our attitude toward God should be as David’s in Psalms 62:5-8: “My Soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation.  He is my defense; I shall not be moved.  In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.  Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” (All Bible references are from the New King James version of the Bible) ---Baxter Deadmon