Better. You probably can think of a dozen different ways to use this word in your every day setting and to describe yourself. Webster’s Dictionary defines the word in various ways depending on how you use the word.
Greater than half
Improved in health or mental attitude
More attractive, favorable, or commendable
In a more excellent manner
A superior especially in merit or rank
If you Google how to be a better person, the AI overview gives a nice list: forgive, stop making excuses, take care of yourself, compliment yourself, encourage others, practice gratitude, set realistic goals, and various other tips. Sounds good, right?

I can’t think of any person that doesn’t want to become a better version of themselves. I sure do. Yet, recently a friend of mine shared a song with me that has had me thinking. What does the Bible say about being a better person? Surely as a Believer, we want to be better than we were.
Let me post a question to you. Should I be better or should I be holy? We are all born with a sinful nature and separated from God. Until we place our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His resurrection for our sins, we cannot have fellowship with God. But what happens after? Do you magically become a better person?
When we get saved, we are transformed. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Not just a better version of ourselves, but we have a new identity in Christ now. We come as we are without becoming a “better version” of ourselves. Christ takes our sin and makes us righteous.
Yet, we still live in a world where there is sin and we still sin here on earth. So, don’t you want to be a better person? Let’s think about this some more. Yes, I know that I don’t want to sin; yet, I still have a sin-nature while on earth that my new spirit-filled nature is in conflict with. I really do want to be a better person! But practically, I can’t make myself good. The Bible says that none is good. Yet, the command is to now be holy.
What does that even mean? Well, Webster defines holy as divine, exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness. 1 Peter 1:16 says “. . .You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And 1 Peter 5:15 says “but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.”
The ultimate goal of a Christian is to become more like Christ. As we serve Him here on earth, we will never be perfect. Yet, I think we as Christians in America are too caught up in looking for solutions to become better …____________. You can fill in the blank with whatever is the thing you want to work on.

However, the Lord has really put on my heart this week that is being better really what we should be striving for? I'd rather be new and holy than just better. Psalm 51:10 states “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” We should want to be better but more than that we should want to be new and holy.
So, my challenge to you and to myself is simple. Lord, don't just make us better but make me new. Lord make me holy.
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