Have you ever had someone tell you something for your own good? Have you ever felt good after they told you? Usually not. One of the problems with “knowing” that you are right is the self-righteous attitude that often accompanies such certainty.  I have had people share with (insult) me about my parenting, political affiliations,  religious beliefs, communication style, fashion choices  and much more  all under the guise of wanting the best for me.

My questions always are, How do you know what is best for me? (Do you know me at all? The circumstances that brought me to this point in my life? Do you know where God is leading me? By what authority do you make this pronouncement?)  and Do you actually care at all for me? (Do I even know you? Do you know me? Why does it seem that you are saying this for your good? Is this the kindest way you could say it? Do you have a brain in you head or a heart in your chest?) Okay, I know that was more than two questions.

Hopefully, you get the point. I am sure with the recent political cycle we are going through you have seen many examples of people “wanting the best for us” who have no clue about us. This is where as followers of Jesus we are given a better way to connect with people. The example is from Jesus Himself.

Your attitude should be the same
as that of Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God
something to be grasped, but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
(Philippians 2:5-7)

If anyone had the right to shove something in our face and down our throat it was Jesus. He choose a better, more noble, more human way to share the ultimate, unchanging, absolute truth that every person must account for by being humble. Even more than just being humble, He sought to serve people, meeting them at their need. He earned the right to speak what was and is the best for them.

We need to earn the right to tell others of Jesus’ love. Only a life lived like Jesus full of service and humility, (not self-righteousness and arrogant attitudes) will win the opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus with our friends, neighbors, and relatives.if you want to tell someone something for their good, make sure they know that you love them.

“Whom you would change, you must first love.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.