Self-Improvement For the Christian (Part 2)

I love setting goals and working towards something. But have you ever set some sort of goal or resolution only for it to fall apart in a week or two? Often times we set goals that are focused on self-improvement. We enter these journeys of improving ourselves with a ton of positive energy. Yet, we stumble and don’t follow through when the novelty of it wears off.

Have you ever wondered why so many of us fail at self-improvement so frequently? What if the approach that we’re taking to self-improvement is the root of the problem?

The next 3 days, we’re going to take a look at self-improvement from a Christian perspective. We’ll be diving into the following:

1. Self-improvement is very self-focused in nature. Why does this hinder us and what are the underlying issues of dissatisfaction?

2. The difference between secular self-improvement and Christian self-improvement.

3. Is your self-improvement producing love and service towards others or yourself?

Yesterday, we looked at #1. Today let’s dive into #2.

We looked at the idea of how self-improvement is very self-focused in nature yesterday. In our pursuit of becoming the best version of ourselves, we often time fail to realize that our efforts are in vain. We focus too much on personal achievement.

As Christians, we are aware of Christ’s teachings. We know that we are supposed to love and serve others humbly. But, while Christian self-improvement differs significantly from self-improvement, it doesn’t diminish the importance of self-improvement in general.

It is important to become healthier. It is important to acquire new skills. It is important to grow in your relationships. All of these contribute to our physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being. They help our ability to serve others and God effectively. Self-improvement is essential, but as we learned yesterday, many of our self-improvement plans are selfish in nature.

So because of this, I think it’s important for us to define Christian self-improvement. We know what marks secular self-improvement: personal desire, achievement, and glory. But what is it that the Christian should strive after in their pursuit of growth?

Christian self-improvement is all about righteousness. It's not about striving after world things or individual accomplishments, but pursuing righteousness in God's kingdom. This righteousness doesn't come from our own strength or ability, but from a dependence on Jesus.

Instead of focusing on ourselves and our strength and desires, we are called to pursue righteousness that aligns with God's will. This righteousness leads us to actions that serve God’s kingdom.

This pursuit is outward-looking. It is focused on others and their needs, rather than looking for self-fulfillment.

We have a call to abandon self. Yet, we see so many Christian churches today proclaiming and calling their members to “live their best life in the name of Jesus”. It’s not about pursuing your best life. The call of following Jesus is about putting self aside.

This a challenging yet crucial aspect to Christian self-improvement. To many, the idea of abandoning oneself may sound discouraging or scary. However, in the Christian context, self-abandonment means choosing to love and serve others above yourself. It means setting aside our selfish ambitions and embracing a life that mirrors Jesus' sacrificial love.

As I mentioned previously, this doesn't imply that we neglect our personal needs or wellbeing. Rather, it means that at the front of our work to personal growth should be things like service and love in our actions. It should be about becoming more Christ-like in our daily lives.

John the Baptist provides a good perspective on self-improvement. During his ministry, he developed quite a following. When some of his followers were concerned about Jesus baptizing others nearby and essentially “stealing” his followers, he responded with some powerful wisdom:

That is powerful. This is a pure reflection of how Christ can and should be reflected in our lives. He must increase. He will be exalted. He will be glorified. He will increase in the eyes of the world.

Therefore, our lives are not about us. Our self-improvement is not about self. Our role in this world is not about us. It’s all about Him.

Because when Jesus increases, joy increases in us. And when joy increases, we can serve others more effectively for His glory.

This transformation from self-serving to servant-oriented marks a crucial point in the Christian walk.

Instead of focusing on personal gain, the emphasis shifts towards the wellbeing of others. It is through this service towards others that we are serving God and making His glory known. The self being improved then becomes a tool used for God's love, service, and grace.

This is a radical shift from what is normal in our world when it comes to self-improvement. But God doesn’t give Christians the desires of our hearts. He reorients the desires of our hearts into what He finds good and righteous.

So, be honest with yourself. Is your pursuit to improve for yourself? Do you long for improving yourself so that your own kingdom can grow? What are the true desires of your heart?

These are difficult questions to answer and some that I find myself in prayer over constantly.

Your pursuits of improvement are temporary. The prize you wish to claim on the other side of self-improvement is not your reward. Jesus is our reward. And He’s the reward that doesn’t perish.

Pursuits of improvement begin and they end. The only way self-improvement is actually self-improving is if in our heart Jesus has increased and we have decreased.

Then His glory can be made known.

📚️ RESOURCES

💭 QUOTE OF THE DAY

 🧰 COACH’S TOOLBOX

The title says it all. Give it a read.

🔨 LOOKING FOR MORE WAYS TO BUILD?

If you are looking for more ways to follow along with the content that I’m putting out, here are a few more things that I do:

1. Built by Grace Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/built-by-grace/id1686998054

2. Interesting in Sponsoring my Newsletter? Reply to this email, and I will get you the information!

Contact Me:  [email protected]

I pray that your day is full of reminders of God’s love and faithfulness. May you faithfully build your life on Christ.

“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in my weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

To God be the glory,

Coach 2