Becoming Less

“He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).

I heard a radio preacher use this verse in an illustration he was giving.  With the uncertain radio reception we receive here in the mountains I didn’t quite hear all he was saying about it, but my brain  started thinking about what John was saying. He explained that he was not the Christ, but was only sent ahead of Him.  Now it was time for Christ’s work to become more important and John’s work to decrease or become less important.  In fact, John is put in prison and later is beheaded because he spoke the truth. I guess that’s the ultimate “decrease.”

John 3:16 is often quoted, as well it should be. It’s amazing to think God loved this world so much he was willing to sacrifice his only Son for our salvation. Those of us who have accepted this eternal gift must live as John spoke.  Jesus must become greater while we become less. This is a lifetime process and requires commitment and diligence.

Jesus calls me to take up my cross and follow him.  My desires must be His desires.  This demands obedience and self-denial.  The Amplified Bible puts it this way in Matthew 10:38-39.

“And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me  (cleave steadfastly to Me, conforming wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also) is not worthy of Me.  Whoever finds his (lower) life will lose it (the higher life), and whoever loses his (lower) life on My account will find it (the higher life).”

Carrying my cross is not putting up with life’s burdens. Rather, it is becoming like Jesus.  It is allowing Jesus Christ to control more and more of my life so that my life looks more and more like Him.  He must become greater, I must become less.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).