He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 (NKJV)
What is it about us as humans that we actually think that we know best? Maybe not in everything, but in certain things, we definitely think were the experts. And if we think we know, then were even less inclined to be flexible.
Q:Why would we go to a auto repair center to get our car repaired, and then proceed to tell the technician that is working on our vehicle, how to repair it?
Q:Why would we go to medical school to learn how to be a brain surgeon and then proceed to tell the Doctor how to perform the surgery?
A:The truth of the matter is that we wouldnt!
So why do we fight God when it comes to running our life? Why do we question His Word, doubt His promises, or refuse to abide in what He has told us to do?
At some point, we can acknowledge, and admit that it doesnt take a rocket scientist to see that our way is not the right way. And anyone who has truly given their life to the Lord, has come to the realization that Gods way is the best way for us to do anything and everything that we will face.
The problem is simple. We get in the way! We get right smack dab in the middle of Gods way when we insist on doing something our own way when it is directly contrary to the Word of God. And there are many ways.
"It can be how we converse with others.
"It can be how we treat another person.
"It can be how we refuse to forgive someone of some offense against us.
"It can be how we talk about someone.
"It can be how we respond to someone who is legitimately wrong.
"It can be the language that we use.
"It can be the things we partake of that cause others to stumble.
And the list goes on, and on. Like I said, it can be anything that doesnt line up with Gods Word.
The Apostle John realized this, and so he made the statement of, He must increase, but I must decrease, referring to having more of Christ in his life.
And the Apostle Paul realized this as well when he said:
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NLT)
Paul understood just as clearly as John did, that he needed to decrease, and Christ needed to increase in his life. That simply means that instead of doing things in his fleshly way, he would now respond in the same way that Jesus would have responded to a certain situation. He, like John, acknowledged that he needed to get out of the way of what God wanted to do in him, on him and through him.
When we do this, well now be focused on what God has called us to do, instead of what we want to do. We will have a desire to share the Gospel, and live a life that is God-centered, and eternal kingdom minded.
This thought and way of life might be foreign to most humans, but it is a foreign exchange program that we should all embrace.
Hey Christian, lets get out of Gods way. Lets stop striving to be what we think He wants us to be. Lets let Him take over our lives by letting His Holy Spirit lead and guide us in every action and thought.
Try it today, and see what happens. Bring every thought captive, and rest in Him. Read His Word, and take some time and speak with Him. Ask Him to guide your day, and to bless all that you put your hands to. Give Him the best of your time and abilities, and He will redeem the time and bless you immensely.
STUDY QUESTION: What do the Apostles Paul and John have in common according to the scriptures above?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Is it your desire to have Jesus increase in your life, and for your fleshly ways of doing things decrease?
APPLICATION: Make it your goal today to seek the Lord and make it your prayer to Him, asking Him to increase in your life.
What is it about us as humans that we actually think that we know best? Maybe not in everything, but in certain things, we definitely think were the experts. And if we think we know, then were even less inclined to be flexible.
Q:Why would we go to a auto repair center to get our car repaired, and then proceed to tell the technician that is working on our vehicle, how to repair it?
Q:Why would we go to medical school to learn how to be a brain surgeon and then proceed to tell the Doctor how to perform the surgery?
A:The truth of the matter is that we wouldnt!
So why do we fight God when it comes to running our life? Why do we question His Word, doubt His promises, or refuse to abide in what He has told us to do?
At some point, we can acknowledge, and admit that it doesnt take a rocket scientist to see that our way is not the right way. And anyone who has truly given their life to the Lord, has come to the realization that Gods way is the best way for us to do anything and everything that we will face.
The problem is simple. We get in the way! We get right smack dab in the middle of Gods way when we insist on doing something our own way when it is directly contrary to the Word of God. And there are many ways.
"It can be how we converse with others.
"It can be how we treat another person.
"It can be how we refuse to forgive someone of some offense against us.
"It can be how we talk about someone.
"It can be how we respond to someone who is legitimately wrong.
"It can be the language that we use.
"It can be the things we partake of that cause others to stumble.
And the list goes on, and on. Like I said, it can be anything that doesnt line up with Gods Word.
The Apostle John realized this, and so he made the statement of, He must increase, but I must decrease, referring to having more of Christ in his life.
And the Apostle Paul realized this as well when he said:
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NLT)
Paul understood just as clearly as John did, that he needed to decrease, and Christ needed to increase in his life. That simply means that instead of doing things in his fleshly way, he would now respond in the same way that Jesus would have responded to a certain situation. He, like John, acknowledged that he needed to get out of the way of what God wanted to do in him, on him and through him.
When we do this, well now be focused on what God has called us to do, instead of what we want to do. We will have a desire to share the Gospel, and live a life that is God-centered, and eternal kingdom minded.
This thought and way of life might be foreign to most humans, but it is a foreign exchange program that we should all embrace.
Hey Christian, lets get out of Gods way. Lets stop striving to be what we think He wants us to be. Lets let Him take over our lives by letting His Holy Spirit lead and guide us in every action and thought.
Try it today, and see what happens. Bring every thought captive, and rest in Him. Read His Word, and take some time and speak with Him. Ask Him to guide your day, and to bless all that you put your hands to. Give Him the best of your time and abilities, and He will redeem the time and bless you immensely.
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Is it your desire to have Jesus increase in your life, and for your fleshly ways of doing things decrease?
APPLICATION: Make it your goal today to seek the Lord and make it your prayer to Him, asking Him to increase in your life.
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