Make It Better

John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

This last Sunday, Pastor Kyle continued his sermon series on the top three things to improve your spiritual life. He asked why do people feel the need for Christ’s church? Just having a religious gathering doesn’t compel people to grace with their presence. You can attend church endlessly without any spiritual change. A friend once told me that just because I walk into a garage, doesn’t make me a car, and walking into a Christian church doesn’t make me a “born again” Christian. The question is: Is your life actually better because you go to church?  It should be abundance of life in Christ. Are we really letting God into our heart and every part of our life.     

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

If God is not improving our life at church then church is just a religious gathering.  The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, What is the chief end of man? The answer; Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. God created us to love Him. Sin created a break in relationship between man and God, but Jesus Christ comes into our life to “make it better”; reconcile, restore and regain.

Psalm 1:1-6 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”

Kyle gave us five things that should get better because Jesus is alive in us. (1) Our family. In our sinful flesh, we have a natural tendency to put “me first”. Focusing on “my needs” leaves us unsatisfied and needing more. Know that God wants to make our families and our homes better. (2) Our job. We live in a “fallen” sinful world. No matter our position in business, we need to treat everyone as equals. Luke 6:31 tells us, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” God may not change your job, but can change your heart for your job. Colossians 3:23-24 tells us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Serve you job and your bosses well. (3) Our relationships. In life, some good relationships can go sour. All differences do not need to be resolved, but forgiven. Forgiving releases us and allows us to “let’s go”. Actions speak louder than words. Listen to people. In your heart, forgive those who have done you wrong and make it tangible.

Proverbs 1:33 “But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”

(4) Our attitude. Do whatever you do to please God. Be honest with your shortcomings and let your defenses down. Ownership of our deficiencies, inadequacies, limitations and weaknesses is not looking for someone else to blame. (5) Our life. Jesus came to give Believers an abundant life, a quality life and fullness of life with Divine opportunities along the straight and narrow path.  

Proverbs 16:9 “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Kyle says that when we feel overwhelmed by everything that we need to improve in our life, start with one area. One step at a time. Not your whole life unfolded, but God gives us the light to take the next step. This side of eternity, life is naturally messy. We cannot work on every aspect of our life at the same time, going from mess to mess. Illuminate one step at a time, believing in the best. Remember that small steps in the same direction make forward progress. What is God asking you to improve in your life? Take the next steps there for progress in that area.

When looking back at our lives, we see that with Jesus Christ in our heart and in our life, we have improved and came a long way. Rejoice in the progress. The Word of God has always spoken into an imperfect world so that we all can see our need for God. Our lives are not perfect … get over it and do something to “make it better”.

In Christ, Brian