More of Jesus and less of me

When we get out of the way and let God do what He wants, then we can accomplish much through Him

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Narcissism has been rife since the world began. The Bible tells us of Nebuchadnezzar, Saul and many others, who thought far more of themselves than they should. We have heard about numerous people in history, who let a leadership role go to their heads. Indeed, we have seen a few in our own lifetime, who have seen their own opinions, their abilities and their rights in an exaggerated light. Narcissism is not of God. It almost always ends in disaster.

Thank the Lord we also have people on the opposite side of the coin who devote their lives to a good cause no matter what the cost to themselves. The other day I was reading about Helen Keller’s two companions, Anne Sullivan and Polly Thompson, who devoted their adult lives to teaching her, accompanying her, caring for her, keeping house for her and yet most of us have only heard of Helen Keller. One of them is reported as saying that her legacy was not to put herself out there but Helen Keller and her amazing story.

On reading John 3 recently the words in verse 30 just jumped out at me, ‘He must become greater; I must become less.’ John was baptising people when some of his followers came to him and told him that people were going from John over to Jesus. This was his reply in John 3:27-31. “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him. 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. He must become greater; I must become less. The one who comes from above, is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.”

John understood that Jesus must increase and that he (John) must decrease. He knew who Christ was so he humbled himself and stepped out of the way. He did not get jealous and try to lure his followers back. No, he knew it was his mission to prepare the way for the Messiah, the straps of whose sandals he was not worthy to untie. (John 1:27) This is an incredible lesson and example of humility for us. God is against those who are the proud but gives grace to those who are humble (James 4:6). When we get out of the way and let God do what He wants, then we can accomplish much through Him. On the other hand, if we try to help God in the way we think it should be done, we may find ourselves working against His will.

Having come to the realisation that ‘He needs to increase and I need to decrease’ what must we do?

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We have to realise that half Jesus and half me is just not good enough. We cannot serve two masters. God must be the only Deity in our lives. He wants all of us. In Matthew 16:24 it says: “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” This is really hard to do in today’s society where everywhere we are told ‘We deserve it’; ‘we are worth it’; ‘do and be whatever seems right to you’. God knows that this attitude can only lead to disaster. He is telling us: ‘I must increase; you must decrease’.  

We need to be less worried about the way other people perceive us and more concerned for the lost. We need to be less concerned about what we can get and more concerned about what we can give. We must be prepared to give up anything for Him, who gave up everything for us. Paul said “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…” (Philippians 3:8) and in Galatians he said: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.“ (Galatians 2:20). God says: 'I must increase; you must decrease'.

We must set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:2) We have to control our thoughts and think about whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8). Whatever we focus our mind on will determine how much of ourselves we have given to Jesus. Our Saviour says: ‘I must increase you must decrease’

We have to stop blaming our sins and mistakes on the fact that we are only human. If we have given our life to Him, we should have more potential to be like Him. So, we need to live as the new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old is gone, the new is here. The Lord says: ‘I must increase; you must decrease

We have to believe in the power of the cross and the testimony of Jesus. Jesus was crucified on a cross. While He was on the cross, He took on the sin of all of the world. Jesus died and was buried in a borrowed tomb but was raised from the dead and is seated on the right hand of the Father. We have to believe that the power that raised Him from the dead is the same power that is living in us. If we believe this, we should find it easy to say: ‘He must increase, I must decrease’

John the Baptist’s life is an example to us how we should approach the Christian life. John lived his life to prepare others to receive Jesus and he told them how important it was to repent. He carried out the work God had given him to do. He was not afraid to speak the truth, even when it meant telling Herod and the Pharisees about the way they were living their lives. Even though John had a large following for a while and was baptizing and doing the great things that God had called Him to do, he knew that none of it was about him. It was all about Jesus. We, also, are ambassadors for Christ, paving the way for His return. Only if we humble ourselves, can God to do the great things through us, that he has prepared for us to do. Who would not want that? I know I do.

Lord I pray that I will allow You to have your way in my life and that You will increase and I will decrease. Amen.

Author: Thelma Cameron

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