He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 John the Baptists assignment wasnt an easy one. After all, who wants to hear the call to repent? Thats the message about sinfulness--but its the God-given word John delivered in order to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. This bold preacher--who greeted the influential Pharisees and Sadducees, by calling them a brood of vipers! (Matthew 3:7)--was a humble servant who knew his role in the kingdom. So, when John learned of Jesus baptizing people, he did not become jealous or guard his turf; instead, he joyfully exalted Christ. John knew that the One whose way he was preparing had come to set people free from the separation from God caused by sin. John responded by declaring, He must increase, but I must decrease. The challenge of every Christian is to--like John--magnify Christ in whatever way God calls us to do it. We naturally tend to focus on self rather than on God; we crave acknowledgement and affirmation rather than self-denial. We gravitate toward activities that bring us praise and affirmation. But if Christ is to have His rightful place in our lives, we must set aside self--and selfishness--so He can be glorified. We must decrease. When people encounter us, let them be impressed with Christ and not us. From the Devotional Being Still With God by Henry and Richard Blackaby.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 14:02:06 +0000
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