How to Become a "Better Person"

Two or three years ago, for the first time ever, becoming a better person became the number 1 New Year’s resolution, topping the reigning champ, which was of course, losing weight.

Losing weight had been the top vote getter for 10 years, usually getting 80% of the votes! That’s quite a turn around, which actually makes me question the accuracy of the poll.

But it does at the very least indicate that a lot of people want to be good. Most of us want to be better than we are.

Do you want to be a better person? I don’t think it’s just a New Year’s thing.

Maybe you wouldn’t quite use those words. If you’re a follower of Jesus, you might say, “I want to grow spiritually” or “I want be more like Christ,” but the idea is there, right? You and I want to be better than we are.

This weekend we’re talking about personal change and how it happens.

The Bible boils down personal growth and spiritual formation to two basic ideas: growing in love (of God and neighbor) and becoming more like Christ (reflecting Christ’s character in our lives).

So, how does personal growth happen? Galatians 5 tells us. Not comprehensively, but many of the basics are found in this foundational passage.

Photo by Wyron A on Unsplash

This is Us

We are the church, whether we are gathered or scattered--each one of us, a part of the body of Christ, wherever we go, whatever we do.

So, where can you find us, and what are we doing?

On Mother’s Day, if you came to the early service you might have been greeted at the door by this smiling mom, Melissa Lee. And if you came to the late service, you would have been served coffee from her at the Acorn Cafe! Melissa, who has a 13 and 11 year old of her own, was gracious enough to serve not just once, but twice on Mother’s Day, to help everyone she came in contact with feel welcomed as they came to Five Oaks. She said that she loves serving on holidays, because it’s easy to smile at people on special days! Melissa, we think you’re pretty special too, and we appreciate you, a Mom serving others on Mother’s Day!