Do You Want To Be A Better Christian?

“Preacher, I want to be a better Christian.”

This is a common refrain I’ve heard through the years from good people, God’s people, people seemingly sincere in desiring to improve their lives.

Yet, when I ask the question, “What would make you a better Christian?” Most people look dumbfounded. They’re not really sure what being a better Christian means in specific terms.

A better Christian? How do you measure it? Define it? Quantify it?

Becoming better reminds me of the Hebrew writer who wrote to a second generation of Jewish Christians who were in danger of slipping. They had become neglectful. They were still on the spiritual milk of the word, when they should have been eating spiritual meat. They should be the ones teaching, but instead needed to be taught. But he encourages them by exhorting, “But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you…” (Heb 6:7).

Getting better obviously invovles spiritual growth. We are commanded to“grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18). We are expected to grow and mature (Eph. 4:13-16). And we are to become more Christ-like as we follow in His steps (2 Pet 2:21-25). In a word, we are to get better.

One problem in getting better is that we too often we compare our strengths with others’ weakness and deceive ourselves into thinking we’re better than most people so we’re just fine. Getting better begins with getting real. We must “examine ourselves” (2 Cor 13:5).

Here are a few questions to examine ourselves to see if we are getting better.

◆Do I need to grow in my knowledge and understanding of scripture? (2 Tim. 2:15)

◆Do I need better judgment in applying what I already know? (Phil 1:9)

◆Do I need to develop deeper convictions? (1 Tim 1:12)

◆Do I need to make greater commitments to develop my skills, gifts and abilities in service to the Lord? (1 Pet 4:10)

◆Do I need to become more servant minded? (Matt 20:26-28)

◆Do I need to add to my faith areas where I am lacking in virtue? Moral Excellence? Self Control? Perseverance? Brotherly Kindness? (2 Pet 1:5-11)

◆Do I need to improve my attitude? In my mindset about spiritual matters? In short, is my attitude like Christ’s? (Phil. 2:1-5)

◆Do I need to be more engaged in opportunities to do good? (Gal. 6:10)

◆Do I need to more fully develop the Spirit’s fruit in my life? Joy? Peace? Patience? Goodness? Faithfulness? Gentleness? (Gal. 5:22)

◆Do I need to be a better husband? Wife? Parent? (Eph. 5:22-6:4)

◆Do I need a better, deeper, stronger love? For God? For my neighbor? For my brethren? (1Cor. 13)

◆Do I need to get away from worldliness, from some habit that’s holding me back? (1 Jn, 2:15-17)

◆Do I need to be a better steward of my resources and more generous financially? (1 Tim. 6:6-10;17-19)

◆Do I need to improve my prayer life? To be more fervent? More consistent? More transparent with God? (Lk. 18:1-8; 1 Thess. 5:17)

If you have reached a spiritual plateau and have become complacent and self-satisfied, get out of your comfort zone. Step out on faith to do more. To give more. To be more. To be better.

Being a better Christian depends on you. Getting real. Being honest. Self-examination. And working at spiritual improvement.

If you want to be a better Christian, it’s time to quit talking about it and do it. As Bob Phillips once quipped, “Well done is better than well said.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman