“He must increase, but I must Decrease”...the Wayfarer 3/20/16

“He must increase, but I must Decrease”

3/20/16

“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.

He must increase, but I must decrease.”

(John 3:29 &30)

These words were spoken by John the Baptist, who, Christ called the greatest prophet ever to have lived. This was done so in answer to questions by his own disciples, apparently jealous that those who followed Jesus were outnumbering those following John.

The questions came about because of questions by those Jews coming to John for baptism in regard to purification.

“And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came and were baptized.

For John was not yet cast into prison.

Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.

And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that  was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but I am sent before him.”

(John 3:23-28)

Just as the sects, denominations, subdivisions of denominations continue to argue today in regard to the means of receiving purity, each zealous in their own efforts to enlarge their numbers, so too did John’s disciples come asking a question in jealousy because the numbers went to Jesus instead of John.

They were baffled that someone baptized by John could draw more to that same baptism, echoing the same message that John preached of redemption through repentance.

They failed to understand who this Jesus was, and needed reminding once more just who this Jesus was.

John’s answer should have put to rest, forever those seeking the glory for a single man, a single sect, a single denomination, a single church, as that greatest of all prophets reminded them that he had told them before that he, himself was not the Christ, but only came in preparation for Him and His ministry.

John’s statement continued further giving glory where it was due, and refusing any claim of glory for himself.

“He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

(John 3:31-36)

John reminded his own disciples that he, he came from earth, and was capable of only giving witness to what he had been given access to, and that Christ came from heaven, and had no restriction to any access whatsoever.

He went on to say that those who received the testimony of Christ would set a seal as to the veracity of God Himself.

He also recognized that most would refuse the testimony of Christ, whose words were from God and heaven, incomprehensible to those seeking only to hear the words of those from earth that was more easily understood.

We, the earthly creatures, no matter how popular within our own small sects, denominations, subdivisions of denomination, or any other artificial division created by mankind, must also realize the greatness of Christ Jesus, and give testimony to what He taught, not what denomination, etc. teaches in its place.

We are given only measures of wisdom, measures of the various gifts of the Holy Spirit, measures of what we are capable of receiving, not what we would wish to claim, but what is given.

John’s humility and admission of his own humanity and inadequacy to be anything more than that voice crying in the wilderness is an example not often followed by those who would fill coffers of various organizations purporting to be churches, pockets of those purporting to be prophets, those who proclaim that they alone have the answers that may only be given through Christ himself.

All things lie within the hands of Christ, not mine nor any man, no matter how powerful, rich or famous, no matter how honored and glorified by other men.

Those answers lie, still, only where John said they could be found, In Jesus, what he was given, what He gave us, what He taught us and most particularly in what He commanded us.

The statement at the end of the quoted passage is still as true now, as when spoken by John…to receive eternal life, we must believe in Jesus and take what he taught above all other teachings.

To add to those teachings or subtract from them is to deny those teachings in favor of the popularity sought by those disciple of John, jealous of Christ because He is God, and we are not.

I close in prayer that the message given by Christ ring loudly throughout the entire universe, to every creature contained within that universe to every would be power that still seeks more popularity and glory than that given them by the measure of God, that they come to the same realization John did and profess as did He the glory of Christ instead.

As for myself, I remain continually only that which I am, having only the measure given by God through the fact that despite my humanity and inherent imperfection that I was made a sinner saved by grace through faith in a risen Savior to whom all glory and honor is due.

Like John, I make no claim of anything not my own, and may only be and give what is given, by God, to be and have. I have no choice but to remain ever that soldier, chosen to continue to be a voice in the wilderness of a battlefield littered with those claiming more, and the souls they would steal from the only One given the power over all things, Jesus. It is His increase I seek, never my own. It is His increase that demands I accept the decrease of humility required to have what little is given.

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Amen and Amen
the Wayfarer