Trying to be a better Christian
I’ve been doing this for years. Trying to be a better Christian: struggling to walk in the truths I know; fighting the pull of temporary stuff that never satisfies. A little success followed by a lot of defeat. Why is this so hard?
It’s easy to feel okay about yourself for a while then fall back into the same old whatever. I don’t know what your whatevers are, but mine come uninvited and unexpected. Valleys follow every mountaintop, yet they disappoint me every time.
What if I stumble? What if I fall? What if I lose my step and make fools of us all? ~ DC Talk
Keep trying
The Christian walk is a paradox. You gotta keep trying. Constant effort produces a degree of external change. Since I’m a disciplined person, it’s not too hard to look good on the outside, but please don’t look into my heart. Confidence produces self-reliance which leads me to the same destination every time. Defeat. Why is this so hard?
Will the love continue when the walk becomes a crawl? ~DC Talk
Crawling back
Guilt drives us to seek the One who has the strength to get us back up. But then we start feeling pretty good about it all, and spin around the cycle again. Not to throw out accusations, but I don’t think it’s just me.
Spiritual workout
On one hand, we need to keep trying. Discipline breeds success. We are to work out our spiritual muscles: exercise faith, grow trust and train for the finish line.
“Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.” Philippians 2:12b (NLT)
Going broke
On the other hand, we bring nothing to the table. There is no good thing in me and I can do nothing without God. I am weak and poor. And that’s a really good place to start. Because it’s in our poverty we find God. Our lack creates a deep need that makes us humbly ask for help.
I need help. I can’t do this, but the paradox is, I have to work for it.
The secret to success
You see, the key to becoming a better Christian, is to know Christ better.
I’ve got nothing. No ability to love those who don’t love me. No ability to serve those who are different than me. No ability to forgive those who spit in my face. No ability to get up in the morning and take a breath. Nothing. I’ve got nothing. I am flat broke.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 8:2 (NIV)
Blessed
Trying to become a better Christian isn’t about following the rules, it’s about following Christ.
To be a better Christian, get to know Christ better Click To Tweet
This is the secret revealed. Too often we exert our energy on learning from and about everyone but Jesus. He is the master teacher.
Yes! It’s exhausting to walk in your own strength
Love this post Vickie. We receive salvation freely, yet think we have to earn the right to stay saved, or look saved.
He did the work and He still does
Absolutely!!
Sometimes I feel alone in the fact I fall back into patterns of things I don’t like to see in my life ie: jealousy, pride I use excuses for why I have these traits. No excuses I need to call on God daily to overcome these as and remember His grace is sufficient
You are NOT alone