Flies part 4
Behavior modification doesn't work. And here's one of the main reasons why: If you're telling somebody they need to change, what you're really telling them is that they aren't good enough. And if you're telling someone they aren't good enough, you're heaping condemnation on them. And since we know there is no condemnation in Christ was must be talking about something else. Religion. Man-centered, performance-based religion. And I don't think there are a whole lot of people out there who like religion. Especially those who have been burned by it. People who are running FROM God instead of running TO God because the only thing they've ever seen is ball and chain that drags people down. But look at Jude 1:24, "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." Religion drags you down. But Jesus keeps you from falling. There's a more excellent way. And His name is Jesus. His name is love. See, I really think it all comes down to presentation. Not WHAT you say, but HOW you say it. I remember having a long, in-depth conversation with a friend of mine who grew up in the church but fell away from it. And the whole time we were talking about love. I didn't say the word, "God," or "Jesus," once. And the whole time I was grinning because there I was talking about God and Jesus! Sometimes we make it so hard for people, and I don't know why. Like we set up this members only club that is almost impossible to break into. Especially when it seems like we're up on our high horse judging people. Nobody likes to be told what wrong with them. Trust me, they already know. We know the worst things about ourselves because we're front and center for them. We live them. (And if you're anything like me we relive them over and over again.) And nobody likes to be told what to do. Rebel without a cause, right? "Gimme a rule and I'll break it. Gimme a line and I'll cross it." That's human nature. Luckily, on this side of the cross, we're a new man. And we have a new nature. A LOVE nature! We don't have to tell people what's wrong with them. We can tell people what's right with them. We don't have to tell people what to do, we can tell people who they are! We can lead and guide them into all truth--that the Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into His hands--by SHOWING them the truth. By loving them. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Focusing on the negative will cause people to tune out and head for the hills. But if you give somebody some good news--you know, the Gospel--they'll keep coming back for more. If you give somebody what they need instead of telling them what they need... then you've brought change. It's so frustrating when people tell me what I need to do but won't lift a hand to help. Or when people tell me what the problem is without offering a solution. I know what the problem is! And if I could take care of it by myself... I would. So stop condemning me and start loving me! I truly believe that's the cry of our hearts. That's what we want most. What we NEED. And it's not something that can be earned. Not something we can get by changing our behavior. It's a gift that is freely given. From God to us. From us to each other. That's the more excellent way. That's how we can truly reach people!