JANUARY 21, John 3:27-30 

John the Baptist had a wonderful ministry ushering in the ministry of Jesus, and often he was mistaken as the Christ. However, he was not one to be taken by pride, and John’s timeless words are in verse 30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

What does it mean, that Jesus must increase and we must decrease? As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit in us, but also remaining in us is still the same old self that can be selfish, proud, complaining, and disobedient. You know that, do you not? How many times have you been selfish, perhaps not wishing to share a favourite food or possession with another? Or the times when you were a ‘champion’ at complaining – “this is not good” or “that is not nice”? The phrase “Jesus must increase, but I must decrease” means that we must control our old self, for our old self is selfish! is also means that we must reduce what old desires and bad habits we had or have. Instead, if there is anything that will help us to be more like Jesus – in His kindness, patience, love – those must be increased!

The next time you feel angry, or impatient, or selfish, think of how you can CONTROL yourself. Remember today’s lesson: how you must decrease these old desires and inclinations and allow the Holy Spirit to control your life. It will not be easy to reduce oneself, as that is natural. However, we are told not only to decrease ourselves, but at the same time, to increase in being more and more like Jesus.

There is a hymn with words that make this idea very clear...

While passing thro’ this world of sin, and others your life shall view, Be clean and pure without, within; Let others see Jesus in you.

Chorus
Let others see Jesus in you, Let others see Jesus in you.

Keep telling the story, be faithful and true; Let others see Jesus in you.

Your life’s a book before their eyes, They’re reading it thro’ and thro’

Say, does it point them to the skies, Do others see Jesus in you?

Thought: Jesus must increase; I must decrease.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may You help me to be like John the Baptist, to decrease more and more of myself, but to increase more and more of Jesus in my life. I know it is not easy, so Heavenly Father, please help me along the way. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.