Reflecting on John 3:22-36“He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30)
When someone does better than us, it can make us critical or argumentative.
When someone leaves our church for another church, we are critical or argumentative.
For John, it doesn’t matter that Jesus is doing better, or people are going to Him.
For John, all that matter is that somehow Jesus’s gets bigger and greater.
It is not about making John great again, it is about making Jesus great!
Paul has a similar attitude when he hears about some leaders in Philippi.
“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill… But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.” (Philippians 1:15,18)
What matters most is that Christ is preached!
A competitive spirit is sometimes seen in churches, church leaders and members.
Each one striving to offer better services, worship, speakers, programs, etc.
Churches shrink or grow, people come or go, and we criticize and argue about it.
But what does it matter, if Christ is preached we can rejoice!
May Christ may become greater, and us lesser – Jesus is what our world needs more of, not us.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I recently heard of someone that is criticial of me and my choices. Help me to not become critical or argumentative. It is not about me or my reputation. Help me to talk more about Jesus, and not about myself.
Good morning Lord. What is my task for You this day? Each day I need to start with the Lord for He created me to be His servant, an instrument of His peace by my words and deeds. How will I serve Him this day. How will others see Christ living in me? Help me Lord in practicing Your Way in all I do and say this day.
1 All for Jesus, all for Jesus,
this our song shall ever be;
for we have no hope, nor Saviour,
if we have not hope in thee.
2 All for Jesus, thou wilt give us
strength to serve thee, hour by hour;
none can move us from thy presence
while we trust thy love and power.
3 All for Jesus, at thine altar
thou wilt give us sweet content;
there, dear Lord, we shall receive thee
in the solemn sacrament.
4 All for Jesus, thou hast loved us;
all for Jesus, thou hast died;
all for Jesus, thou art with us;
all for Jesus crucified.
5 All for Jesus, all for Jesus,
this the church’s song must be,
till, at last, we all are gathered,
one in love and one in thee.