Being a Better Person is Easy in Christ
Friday’s Verse:
From John 15:5 ESV
" I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Have you ever gone to a bookstore and found yourself in the self-help section? There are basically books for every kind of condition where authors attempt to make you a better person. Admittedly, I’ve bought a bunch of these books in the past. Have they made me a better person? No and yes. Mostly no.
Within Lutheranism, there is never an element of self-help. Luther defined Christians as simul justus et peccator (both righteous and a sinner at the same time). You are already completely loved in Christ. You are redeemed. You are declared righteous by God’s grace through faith. God isn’t waiting on a better version of you to love you and show you mercy.
Since you are already accepted in God’s eyes, being a “better person” means something radically different.
Keep in mind that good deeds do not go upward. (Luther) “God doesn’t need your good works, but your neighbor does.” Working on being patient, kind, upright, and disciplined is about loving the real people God places in your life each day.
Discipleship and maturity are byproducts of grace, not the means by which we become acceptable to God. Fruit comes from abiding in Christ, not the other way around. The branch does not grow fruit so it can cling to the vine; it bears fruit because it’s connected to the vine.
When motives of fear or ego drive your self-help, you’ll burn yourself out or become jaded. But when gratitude motivates you, self-discipline is worship in liberty.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, thank You that my worth and salvation rest entirely in Christ’s finished work at the cross, not in my own performance. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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