Romans 6:11. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

In a recent sermon the minister gave an example of a dead man in a casket who loved Reese’s candy. He asked the question, “When a man is dead, if someone put a package of Reese’s candies on his body, would he reach out and grab them? No, because he was dead. That is how we are to our sin—dead.”¹ Romans 6 tells us plainly that we are dead to the temptations that lure us, and we are alive to Yahweh. When we honestly and openly conquer our sin patterns we become the best example of a Christian. It takes good self-care and work.

Ephesians 4:32. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Do you ever feel that you would like to just be better—nothing earth shattering, just to be kinder, more forgiving, helpful, quieter? Especially at this time of year when those around us are making lists of goals, we even try to figure out what to do for a better new year. What can be changed really? Same ol’, same ol’, year in and year out. Pull out an old resolution list and probably a dozen of the same items are on this year’s list. Do not become discouraged! Yahweh has made a way for us to be like Christ in all our thoughts and actions. Yes, we can be better!

At first when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are overwhelmed with love, forgiveness, and comfort that we experience. So much so that we want to let those we live or work with hear the Gospel message. Amen. This is wonderful. But many times it doesn’t last. People resist us, or duck into another room or office to avoid us; or we let the world crush us and we fold. Success is limited. What can we do better?

One answer is that with the Good News of the Gospel, we want to fix others. We can tend to overextend our good will with rescuing, controlling or being obsessed with having people “see the light”. Some think, “If I just love this person more, if I just drive 20 miles out of my way they will see the love of God in their life and will come to love Jesus.” Doing good works to help others is a good thing when it is appropriate and inspired by Yahweh and Jesus. Sometimes we forget the best example that people can see and relate to is a changed you and me. What we say and do is very powerful. If we drive 20 miles and the person listens to us cuss out the traffic, they get a very mixed message.

Ephesians 4:29. Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

When we are open and honest about our struggles in safe places, we let people see how our faith in applying Scripture helps us grow and change. What we are used to doing in our old nature is to rescue people. We see their problem, and we think we know how to fix it and rush in to do so. This isn’t usually a helpful witness. Our old ways include controlling how things should be—as we want them. There is nothing wrong with wanting a person to have a better relationship with Yahweh, but the person needs to see it is a better way and desire it. If I am loving as Jesus did, then good works will happen for us both.

John 13:34. I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

If we really want to help others come to a knowledge of Yahweh and accept Jesus as their Savior—AND live a Christ-like life, we must change ourselves. An overused parenting adage is “Don’t do as I do, do as I say!” How we live our Christian life says more to many people than a deep Scriptural presentation or manipulative controlling of the situation. When we live day by day showing God’s love, comfort, and peace in our dealings, these attributes attract others to be curious and want what we have. Are we showing honesty, loyalty, compassion? Even in the most subtle ways we can make a tremendous impression on others.

An example might be a friend who is ambivalent about her faith, not praying or reading Scripture, just kind of living a secular life while acknowledging there is God and Jesus. We tend to want to fix it all by handing her a yearlong Bible reading program, a devotional for prayer each day, and a list of activities to attend at the church. We may take her bowling or babysit her children. All these are excellent ways to encourage the other, but the person might look more closely at your life and think, “Hmmm, she really has quite a bad temper when she loses at bowling. Everyone is afraid to say anything that upsets her. How is this like Jesus?” Our credibility is low at that point. Instead, talk about how you or others have struggled and overcome problems by reading Scripture, praying and keeping your thoughts godly. If we slip up we immediately stop and do what is right and apologize for the lapse and pray for help. We are works in progress until Christ comes. We all have “issues” of
some sort that we take to our Father, Yahweh, and receive healing and deliverance. The better way is to share with others your victorious experience which comforts and helps others follow your example of following Jesus.

There are those who have the ministry of an Evangelist. Yet, we are all commissioned to speak the Word, not be conformed to this world, and be a living sacrifice— and not be one dead in trespasses and sins. As we work on ourselves, being honest about our needs and our successes, we will have impact on others who have eyes to see and ears to hear. Most of us are not preachers to arenas of people, but we are examples of Jesus to those we live with, and friends and neighbors. We shine as lights in this sinful world as we clean up our own acts and allow Jesus to reign in our heart—”Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23). Let us spread abroad the love of Jesus, Yahweh’s comfort, forgiveness, kind words, and good health.

We are dead to sin. We are able, thought by thought, to have a heart that springs forth with godly attributes. We can be better and be healing to others by living godly lives day by day.

How can you improve your self-care by getting rid of sin patterns on a consistent basis? What area of your life have you had victory that you could share with someone else who is wanting help in a similar circumstance? Would you?

1. ‘Joshua Smith, Living Hope International Ministries, You Belong 3: Identity, November 30, 2025.[↩]