Addition Through Subtraction

Today’s Bible readings are Judges 19:1-20:48, John 3:22-4:3, Psalm 104:24-35, & Proverbs 14:22-23

John 3:27-30

²⁷ John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ ²⁹ It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. ³⁰ He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

What is it that needs to happen in order for us to grow in Christ? What is the main thing that we must make sure we aim to remember if we are to ever reach the height that Christ has called us to? We must decrease so He can increase in our lives.

I love the message that John the Baptist is sharing. He is making it clear that in order for Christ to be glorified in us, we must decrease so He can increase. This is not an easy process. It can be very difficult to for us since we struggle so much with pride. Pride robs us of growth. Pride makes us think that we are good enough. Pride makes us think that we are strong enough. Pride makes us think we smart enough. Pride is very dangerous.

Proverbs 16:18

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

Before every failure, before every lost opportunity, before every fall; pride was present.

John is making it clear that we must die to self so pride will lose its power over us. If pride doesn’t lose its power, we are bound to be overtaken by it. We will fail in our ministry. We will not accomplish our purpose.

We must always remember that Jesus is the One who is supposed to increase. He is the One who is supposed to be magnified. He is the One who is supposed to get the glory. He is the One who is supposed to be famous.

We all know that those statements are true. Every believer knows that Jesus gets the glory. Yet, many times our hearts still can get full of pride. The answer:  “Die to self.”

Here are some things to remember:

•        Servants aren’t thinking of their wants, they are focused on fulfilling the wants & desires of their Master.

1.       How can I please my Master.

2.       What does my Master want?

3.       What would make my Master happy?

4.       What would bring joy to my Master?

This is what John was trying to get across to us. We must decrease so He can increase. This is the path to greater life. We must die to live!

Pastor Richard Schlotter