'I' must decrease!
John the Baptist was older to Jesus, He came before Jesus, he started and established a very fruitful ministry before Jesus did, he had more people following him before they started turning to Jesus, in fact he was even instrumental in the baptism of Jesus. Humanly speaking he had all the right to feel bad and threatened about the growing popularity of Jesus and His ministry. But what makes him stand out as a true personification of Humility.
At one point in John's life His disciples come to him and says, "Teacher, remember the man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan River? He is the one you were telling everyone about. He is also baptizing people, and many are going to him." John 3:26. It was like the disciples of John were very concerned about their masters ministry, they were actually asking John, boss you are loosing your popularity, the other guy is taking all your people, do something about it? A typical scenario in today's churches and ministry right?
John's response to this is astounding, only a man with profound understanding about his call and deep conviction about his identity can answer in such a way, just listen to what he says, "A person can receive only what God gives. You yourselves heard me say, 'I am not the Messiah. I am only the one God sent to prepare the way for him.' The bride always belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who helps the bridegroom just waits and listens. He is happy just to hear the bridegroom talk. That's how I feel now. I am so happy that he is here. He must become more and more important, and I must become less important". John 3:27-30. Amazing words! John knew exactly who he was and what was the purpose of his life, he knew he was not here to compete with somebody and establish his own kingdom, like many of the pastors and christian workers are bent on accomplishing today.
1.Understanding God's ownership of everything that we have and everything that we will ever have, "a person can receive only what God gives" is the first key to humility. It is realizing that We don't own anything.
2.Understanding clearly our call and purpose for which God has taken hold of us, "I am not the Messiah. I am only the one God sent to prepare the way for him" is the second key to open the door of Humility.
3.Understanding our identity in Christ, who we are , the fact that we belong to the bridegroom is the third key to usher in humility.
4. and lastly understanding that He must increase or become more important and 'I' must decrease for Him to use me is the last key to humility. Let this be our prayer during this season of Lent as we focus on the Cross and our risen Savior.
At one point in John's life His disciples come to him and says, "Teacher, remember the man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan River? He is the one you were telling everyone about. He is also baptizing people, and many are going to him." John 3:26. It was like the disciples of John were very concerned about their masters ministry, they were actually asking John, boss you are loosing your popularity, the other guy is taking all your people, do something about it? A typical scenario in today's churches and ministry right?
John's response to this is astounding, only a man with profound understanding about his call and deep conviction about his identity can answer in such a way, just listen to what he says, "A person can receive only what God gives. You yourselves heard me say, 'I am not the Messiah. I am only the one God sent to prepare the way for him.' The bride always belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who helps the bridegroom just waits and listens. He is happy just to hear the bridegroom talk. That's how I feel now. I am so happy that he is here. He must become more and more important, and I must become less important". John 3:27-30. Amazing words! John knew exactly who he was and what was the purpose of his life, he knew he was not here to compete with somebody and establish his own kingdom, like many of the pastors and christian workers are bent on accomplishing today.
1.Understanding God's ownership of everything that we have and everything that we will ever have, "a person can receive only what God gives" is the first key to humility. It is realizing that We don't own anything.
2.Understanding clearly our call and purpose for which God has taken hold of us, "I am not the Messiah. I am only the one God sent to prepare the way for him" is the second key to open the door of Humility.
3.Understanding our identity in Christ, who we are , the fact that we belong to the bridegroom is the third key to usher in humility.
4. and lastly understanding that He must increase or become more important and 'I' must decrease for Him to use me is the last key to humility. Let this be our prayer during this season of Lent as we focus on the Cross and our risen Savior.
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