What Makes Life Better?

Fifty years ago the marketers of Coca Cola cashed in on the American ethos: the pursuit of better. Four years ago, Joel Osteen made a fortune with his book, “Become a Better You.” While studying the book of Hebrews, I was struck by how many times the author uses the word “better”—better country, better covenant, better hope. Had I missed something? Is there a doctrine of “better?”

As I dove into the study of “better,” I found that each reference had something to do with making our relationship with God better. None of the words “better” had to do with self-improvement—none of them was self-oriented. Then it struck me: that’s what Satan told Eve in the Garden—that he could give them something better than what they currently had. Satan was marketing self-improvement long before psychologist Carl Rogers invented 'person-centered' therapy!

Jeremiah said the heart is desperately sick and cannot be cured (17:9; 30:5). “Better” is simply not an option. You won’t be surprised that I love this quote by Professor Dr. Michael Horton: “He doesn’t come to improve us; he comes to kill us, in order to raise us to newness of life.” God doesn’t want to give you a better life—He wants to give you a brand new life. Why settle for "better" when you can have "best!"