The topic of becoming a better person is popular among Christians and within mainstream society. Becoming a better person as a Christian is an interesting concept because, as Christians, we should grow to be more conformed to the image of Christ, yet we cannot grow as a better person as a Christian apart from the Holy Spirit.
Mainstream society points to self-help books to become a better person; however, the Bible teaches something dramatically different.
Being a Better Person
A person cannot become a better person as a Christian on their own. In order to grow as a better person, as a Christian, we need the help of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes to live in believers at the time as salvation.
He is the One who helps us bear fruit for Christ (Galatians 5:22-23). Without His leading in our lives, we cannot grow into better people for Christ. On our own, we cannot become better people for Christ.
We have to have the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives in order to become better people. What it means to become a better person as a Christian is that through the work of the Holy Spirit and the individual walking in obedience to God, the individual will be able to shine brightly for God in their everyday life.
From the time we are born, we are born into sin, and throughout our lives, we freely choose to sin (Romans 3:23). It is only when we place faith in Christ that we are forgiven of our sins and made into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Once we come to know Jesus, accept Him, and receive the Holy Spirit, we have the opportunity to become a better person as a Christian.
Yielding to the Holy Spirit
It is crucial to yield to the Holy Spirit in order to become a better person as a Christian. Becoming a better person does not come naturally to us but rather by the Holy Spirit. It is unrealistic that overnight you will become a better person just because you become a Christian.
The process of being transformed into Jesus’ image is an ongoing process that will continue throughout our lives. As nice as it would be if we automatically became better people overnight, that is not how it works. Being conformed to Jesus’ image will take time.
The more we obey and yield to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the better people we will become. Praying to God, reading the Bible, and getting involved at a local church will all help us grow in our Christian walk.
Becoming a better person as a Christian is all about faith in Christ and His completed work on the cross. It’s not based on our ability but on God’s work in our lives. Every time we make the right decision and choose to obey God is because of His work in our lives.
Living to a Higher Standard
As Christians, we are held to a higher standard in our daily lives because we are ambassadors for Christ here on earth. This means we should strive to bring glory to Jesus’ Name throughout our daily lives, in our actions, and in our words.
Becoming a better person as a Christian helps bring glory to God and gives a good testimony. As Christians, the lost world will be looking at us and judging us more severely because we claim to be followers of Jesus.
It is important for us to show Jesus in our actions and demonstrate in our lives how much the Holy Spirit has changed us. We will never be perfect as only God is perfect, yet God is constantly changing us and conforming us into His Image.
Becoming a better person as a Christian will be an ongoing journey. If we are striving to become a better person, as Christians, we have to remove ourselves from worldliness. The things of the world will separate us from God and give a bad testimony to those outside the church.
If we are just acting like the rest of the world, how will anybody be able to tell that we are Christians? 1 John 2:15-17 tells us,
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
As Christians, we are not to love the world or anything in the world. Becoming like the rest of the world will prevent us from becoming better people for Jesus. Instead of being conformed to the world, we need to be conformed to the Person of Jesus Christ.
Paul tells us this truth, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
The best chance we have at becoming better people as Christians is by yielding to God’s direction in our lives, obeying the Holy Spirit, and living in accordance with the Bible. When we live lives in obedience to the Lord, we will bring glory to His Name.
By living in obedience to Him, we will be able to better people as Christians. Just because a person is a Christian does not mean they are living their lives in a way that is honoring to God. In the same way, it is erroneous to believe a person is a better person just because they are a Christian.
Simply because you are a Christian does not mean you are nicer, kinder, or more loving to others. I have personally known many Christians who are not firm in their faith, and they can be quite mean at times.
Maybe you have come across the same situation in your own life. Becoming a better person as a Christian means you are yielding to the Holy Spirit, listening to the Father, and living as Jesus lived during His earthly life. It is important to not be known as a Christian only by name and not by action.
Our actions demonstrate the love we have for Jesus and the difference He has made in our lives. Being a better person, as a Christian, is hard and it is not fair to say that it is easy. The Lord will teach us many hard truths throughout our lives, and there will be many trials, temptations, and dark seasons of life.
These difficult times are what grow us most as Christians and help change our character to be more like Jesus. Choose today to listen to God, yield to His direction, and submit to His Lordship in your life.
Through the work of the Holy Spirit, God will transform you to become a better person as a Christian the more you read the Bible, pray, and apply biblical teachings into your life.
Do not be discouraged if the change doesn't happen overnight because it is a long process filled with ups and downs. Trust the Lord and rely on Him to help you become a better person for Him.
For further reading:
Why Is Being a Good Person Not Enough to Get into Heaven?
What Is the Myth of the 'Better' Christian?
How Is Representing Christ a Great Responsibility?
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