John 3:30 (ESV)
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Albert Barnes, a 19th century American theologian, remarked that, “The purpose of my ministry is to point men to him. When that is done my work is done. I came not to form a party of my own, nor to set up a religion of my own; and my teaching must cease when he is fully established, as the light of the morning star fades away and is lost in the beams of the rising sun.” Is the light of your desires and goals and accomplishments fading under the glorious beams of the Rising Son?
This is a powerful question.
John the Baptist’s disciples were talking about his diminishing crowds. Before that, John’s influence and notoriety had been growing, but once Jesus hit the scene, people began to flock to him rather than John. “Look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him” (v. 26). John knew his role was to herald the coming of the Messiah rather than build his own following. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” It is important to note the imperative use of the word “must”. This is nothing short of the “determined will of God” (D.A. Carson) and should mark the Christian’s life as it did John the Baptist’s.
Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life, begins with the simple phrase, “It’s not about you.” It became and remains the bestselling hardcover non-fiction book in history and has now tallied over 32 million sales. It is the second most translated book after the Bible. Interestingly, it starts with a statement that runs contrary to probably every secular self-help book every printed, as well as human nature itself. So why has this book been so popular? Because true freedom and fulfillment is found in and through Jesus Christ, and somewhere deep down we all know that. Down is actually up. Shrinking is actually growing.
The sanctification process is about “draining the swamp” of your own heart and mind. The old man should increasingly disappear while the new man should grow “in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Lk. 2:52 & 2 Cor. 5:17). More of Him can only be achieved with less of me, but am I willing to let go of the pole position in my life? Am I willing to replace my desires with His? Am I willing to set aside my earthly goals for His eternal ones? Am I willing to put others ahead of myself? Am I willing to give Him control of my time, talents, and treasure? The less we focus on ourselves, the freer and more content we become. God doesn’t just want the glory…He wants what’s in our best interest, too.
He must increase, but we must decrease.
