Archive for November 1st, 2007

Nov 01 2007

He Must Increase

Published by Don Ryan under Ministry, Random Thoughts

John 3:27-30
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase , but I must decrease.
KJV

I have heard this particular portion of scripture preached from three times in the last three weeks and none of those times was I doing the preaching.  Perhaps God is trying to tell me something.

When John spoke these words, he was at the zenith of his popularity.  Yet he knew he was just the opening act and the headliner was coming right after him and He was the one they should look to.

Verse 30 speaks to me in a different way in 2007.  My popularity, ministry and influence do not come near that of Jesus Christ.  There is little to no risk of anyone thinking that I am the messiah.  It’s just not going to happen.  And yet, the words keep echoing in my head- He must increase.  I must decrease.

We are so busy with things.  Work, church, and family monopolize our time and push us to maximize every moment of our day.  I am (as I post this thought) trying to figure out how I can get the four projects on my desk done and go to the northwest part of the state for a Sunday School deal on Saturday and make church on Sunday and catch my plane at 6:20 Monday morning.  Do I really have time for a personal devotion?  And yet, He must increase and I must decrease.

That’s what John is saying.  If you don’t have time for your relationship with God than you are being a poor steward of your time.  I had another family member with a medical emergency tonight; rush to the hospital with an unknown prognosis and all I could think was if that was me, am I satisfied with how I’ve prepared for eternity?  We are living in our second (and third and fourth) chance.  God has given us today to grown in Him and have relationship with Him.  Will we choose to do this?

He must increase.  I must decrease.