“HE must increase, I must decrease.” JOHN 3:30-36
Every consideration that appeals to the ambitions of men is offered by the world, but sic transit gloria mundi (thus passes away the glory of the world).
As we begin our study ask yourself — am I decreasing?
What about promotion or success — how are you handling it? If success and wealth mean more to us than God and His Word, we have a problem. If our corporate rise causes us to avoid God and God’s number one place in our lives, we have a problem. If our position causes us to think of ourselves as above everyone else, we have a problem. We have an arrogance problem. Do you consider others better than you? A humble leader doesn’t flaunt his/her power or position. Instead he/she identifies with the weakest member of the team.
Please note: A humble follower of Christ does not impose his/her will on God, does not try to force issues, but submits to God’s leading. God will increase your influence when you patiently wait in humble service. Lead with empathy and respect. The authority that you have is your strength in humility. People want to follow a leader who is helpful and respectful. The Lord will promote you in exactly the right way at exactly the right time. Remember this: what is inside you will radiate outwardly from you.
Christ must increase – I must decrease.
Christ in His humanity never thought of Himself more highly than He ought to think. Unlike the Pharisees, Jesus was gentle and humble in heart, offering rest to anyone who would come to Him. Christ was so obedient to the father never putting himself first. Please reference Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 5:8. And so He is our example. The evidence of His humility leaps from the Gospel pages.
Christ’s humility was shown in His condescension to our low estate. Jesus came to speak to the hearts of men by living a life of humility (a helpless infant became our servant-King). Christ submitted to the Father’s will (Mark 14:36). Even now, seated at the Right Hand of the Father, Christ intercedes for us. He is still our servant and our God in one person forever and ever.
Humility is the greatest attribute! Learning humility should be every believers priority. Christ is our example of humility. Do you really want to be like our Lord? To be like Jesus you must learn Jesus …you must think like Jesus. How did Jesus think? The answer is contained in His words, His prayers, His actions and His sacrificial life. His words are written — His Mind is recorded, and His Mind is a terrible thing for us to waste.
Jesus left His fingerprints on every page of the Bible and they are there to point us through fields of Grace. “In Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and in Him ye are made full” (Colossians 2:9-10).
The greatest need of humanity is respect and humility. Just imagine what the world would be like if every man respected God and his fellow man; if everyone served his neighbor.
Christ must Increase — I must decrease.
As believers, we must learn to empty ourselves of ourselves by bringing into captivity our sin nature. We must learn God’s simple plan for each believer and it begins with humility, compassion and giving; but, not just financially, we must go deeper into our soul and give of ourselves sacrificially. We must learn to be captives of the Lord by obedience to His Word and serving others as Christ did.
When we respect, serve, and obey God, the Holy Spirit is poured out in abundance on the believer, the Church (corporately) and the community. Humility is not weakness or passivity; it is inner strength disciplined and centered on others. When we think we have attained humility, we’ve lost it. Reference Isaiah 57:15; 66:2, and then turn back to Numbers 12:3. Then see Solomon’s humility in Proverbs 25:27. Pride more than any other causes us to stumble and make wrong choices. Add to pride, temptation, and we see our weaknesses.
The needs of suffering humanity are many. As believers we are to meet those needs and follow Christ’s example. We are to continue the work of our absent Savior. Christ must increase — I must decrease.
WE ARE TO PREPARE THE WAY!
John the Baptist gave us one of the greatest examples of humility and servantship in Scripture. Please pause for a moment, turn to the Gospel of Luke and read for yourself the story of John the Baptist.
As believers we need to proclaim our Lord and Savior. In Luke 1:76, Zachariah the father of John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: “And you, child, will be called the Prophet of the Most High; For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS.” Wow! Wouldn’t it be great to be called the prophet of the Most High? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to prepare His way? We should be announcing the second coming of the Lord. Are we? Are you? The Lord is coming again and each of us as believers have been called and especially chosen to announce the Lord’s Second Coming.
Because of the tender mercies of our Lord, we too are here on earth to prepare the world for the Lord’s return. We are to shine like stars in a world full of darkness. We are to give unsaved mankind the gospel of salvation, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” Ephesians 2:10).
DO YOU TALK OR WALK?
The unbeliever must see something different in each believer, something desirable. The unbeliever must see genuine compassion and humility. How humble do you appear to the eyes of the world? Do your co-workers see you as devoted to the Lord? Do they see you as REAL or two-faced and hypocritical? Walk the walk!
WE ARE TO EXALT THE AFFLICTED
The necessities of life must be addressed, the sick must be attended and the needs of the needy must be supplied. Christ always emptied Himself, therefore we are to practice emptying ourselves and our pantries and our closets.
When is the last time you visited a nursing home, a hospital or a homeless shelter? Giving money to the church is not enough. Every believer must give of his/her self.
You need to personally give to the less fortunate, the sick, the wounded warriors out there — face to face. Next time you see a homeless person with his/her hand out along the road or as you exit Wal-Mart or the grocery store, give the homeless person a loaf of bread and hot dogs. Or, go to the nearest fast food or even a nice restaurant, order up a nice meal or two and take it back to the hungry person at Wal-Mart or along the road of life. This simple act of kindness will do more for God’s Kingdom (and you) than it will for the impoverished.
PETTINESS IS PATHETIC
Jealousy, envy, selfish ambition and cliques in our churches impede the gospel, stunt the growth of the church, and thwart the voice of the Lord.
Many believers need to grow up! We need to sit at the table of life with thanksgiving and with manners and respect and eat the meat that God has prepared for us without whining and pouting. Everyone’s table is different, but God has prepared our destiny. God has walked the road ahead of us and God extends His hand to each born-again believer. Do you want peace? Take the Lord’s Hand and walk with Him through life-fields. Your life-fields are your everyday circumstances … every situation in your life. Get involved in-person. Be real! Put on Christ! He must increase – I must decrease.
He must increase – I must decrease.
Before we can ever mature we must learn self-discipline and humility. We must stop competing for attention and praise. ALL praise belongs to God. The work of God in our Churches is not about our personal image. It is not about our superscription. Not about our personal ambition. Not about our approbations. Not about us and all our good works. Life in the local church is a life of learning, worship and servantship. Christ must increase we must decrease.
Each believer must learn to live under the shadow of the Cross in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. The world is searching for God through signs and wonders. So the believer must be the sign that directs men to God. Men must see Christ in us and want what they see. Our actions reflect our faith. From deeds done in humility and silence comes wisdom. This wisdom draws you closer to the Lord. Humility is the door to intimacy with Jesus Christ.
He must increase, we must decrease.
Thank you Lord for your plan of Grace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.