I must become less

"He must become greater; I must become less."

[John 3:30]

In the March 24 page in My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers writes in 150 words what is probably the best commentary on this passage I have ever read. This is not because it is thorough, nor profound, nor scholarly, nor eloquent, but because it is honest. It cuts to the heart. He has taken a confession of John the Baptist and made it a rebuke and a sword to pierce the Christian, not the unbeliever, but the believer only. He writes,

"If you become a necessity to a soul, you are out of God’s order. As a worker, your great responsibility is to be a friend of the Bridegroom."

I see people everywhere who, with all good intentions, nevertheless spoil their sheep or children or disciples by making the learner too dependent upon the teacher, instead of helping them to follow Jesus. John, however, stepped back and when asked if he was the Christ, replied,

The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.

Instead of winning followers for myself, or trying to be like a father to my sheep, or a soulmate or may God help me to become less and less to them, just a friend, no more. This Chambers calls "Decreasing into His purpose", meaning, God's purpose is to draw all men to Christ, not to moi, to exalt His Son and increase His kingdom, not mine. As one man aptly phrased, we Christians are just "one beggar showing another beggar where to find food." I don't think Jesus would have ever put it this way. He never wanted us to be like beggars, but to restore us as those who were commanded, "Rule over all the earth". But with respect to God, we are beggars whom HE has chosen and sacrificed even His Son to save.

So I must never think that I am the provider of something to my sheep. I am just repeating what I was told, giving as I have received, forgiving as I have been forgiven, and loving as I have been loved.

Thus, I am not increasing into God's purpose, but decreasing me to magnify Jesus.

Lord, I naturally exalt and build up myself, grasping for "relevance" and success and accolades. Please give me that mind of Christ, and help me to follow the example of John, who was "the greatest man ever born to a woman." Make me "least in the kingdom of heaven" if only I may see Jesus come into the hearts of my people. Lord, have my heart. Let me know that joy of John's to hear the Bridegroom's voice today.