Daily Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 38, Ezekiel 37, John 2-3
When Less is More.
I was just listening to a newscast about how many times a prominent politician used the word "I" in his speeches, along my "me" and "my." It was hundreds of times. It says something about a person if all they can talk about is themselves, what they did, how they did it, etc. We say such a person is "full of themselves."
In John 3 some of John's followers came to him and basically tried to incite him to jealousy. They said, "that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan -- the one you testified about -- well, he is baptizing and everyone is going to him." Jn. 3:26. John answered them by likening himself to a friend of the bridegroom, one who attends him and has joy when the bridegroom arrives. In other words, he had done his job, Jesus was now on the scene and it was time for John to step back. His words are powerful. "He must become greater; I must beomes less." The Amplified version of the Bible reads, "He must increase, but I must decrease. He must grow more prominent, I must grow less so."
The scripture is full of this principle. Lose your life so you can find it. Matt. 10:39. The first will be last and the last will be first. Matt. 19:30. The least will be greater. Matt. 11:11. Give and you will receive. Luke 6:38. Totally contrary to our human reasoning; a dichotomy that doesn't make sense to us.
David exemplified a denial of himself and submission to God in regards to building the temple. He had it in his heart to build a house as a place of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord. I Chron. 28:2. But God told him that he could not because he had been a warrior and had shed much blood. David submitted his will and desires to God but went on with detailed preparations for Solomon who would build the temple. David had written plans drawn up for the temple and details down to the weight of the gold and silver of the utensils that would be used in the temple and the weight of gold for the furnishings. Verses 14-19. A man who had not submitted his will to the Lord would have chaffed against the restraint the Lord put on him. He had all the details and plans, it was his desire, why couldn't he build it?
How are you doing with this princicple? Letting the world see less of you and more of Jesus? Paul said he would not glory in anything or anyone except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Gal 6:14. Jesus said, "When I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all men to myself." John 12:32. It is as Jesus becomes greater and we become less that the good news can go forth in power and draw people into the kingdom. Let it be said of us as it was of Peter and John, "they took noted that they had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13. If we make Jesus big in our lives and exalt him, our "old man" will begin to shrink.
I have an old poem that sort of sums this up. (Emphasis on "old.")
If you your lips would keep from slips,
Five things observe with care.
Of whom you speak, to whom you speak,
And how and when and where.
If you your ears would save from jeers
These things keep mildly hid:
Myself and I and mine and my,
And how I do and did.
Let Jesus increase in your life today. Less of you and more of him is so much better.
God is good all the time,
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