Does Jesus Christ have the preeminence in your life? Are you living a spirit-lead life, or a flesh-lead life? Have you understood yet, that as a Christian, your life is not your own? It’s not yours to do with as you please. 1Cor 6:20 tells us that we have been bought with a price; the precious Blood of Jesus. You are a purchased possession of The Most High God. Does that offend you? It shouldn’t. If it does, you probably have pride issues that you need to deal with, because Proverbs 16:18 tells us pride goes before destruction; and a haughty spirit before a fall. We should have the attitude of the apostle Paul, and yield ourselves servants of God (Rom 1:1); although in Christ we have become sons ( Jn 1:12, Gal 4:6).

John the Baptist had a real servant’s heart. He was not out to be Mr. Popular; he was just a servant of God, obeying God’s will for his life. In Jn 3:22-36, some of John’s disciples pointed out to him that Jesus was down the river baptizing more converts than he was. They basically said Jesus was “stealing his business”. John could have gotten in the flesh and been mad about his popularity diminishing; after all, he had quite the revival going on for a while. However, John answered as we all should: Jesus must increase; but I must decrease (vs.30). John knew the only reason he even had a ministry is because God gave it to him (vs.27). He compared him being jealous of Jesus, to a best man being jealous of the groom on his wedding day. It would be ridiculous. On the contrary, John was happy for Jesus! He was excited for his Lord! He recognized who Jesus was, and he honored Him (vs.31).

God needs to increase in our lives, and we need to decrease. Our focus needs to be God-ward, not on ourselves. In our flesh dwells no good thing (Rom 7:18), and we need to admit it. This idea that we all need to feel good about ourselves and have positive self esteem is hogwash. Until you receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and become born again; all the positive thinking in the world isn’t going to change your state: which is eternally lost. The thing you can feel good about is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col 1:27)! If your spiritually dead, I wouldn’t feel too good about yourself. All have sinned and come short of God’s righteousness. We all need a savior, and there is only one sacrifice that God accepted for payment: Jesus Christ. If you are not born again, call upon the Name of The Lord today!

Paul knew His life was not his own. He said that it was no longer him that lived, but Christ now lived His life through him (Gal 2:20). Paul didn’t glory in his flesh; although he could have more than most (Phi 3:4). No, he considered himself less than the least of all saints (Eph 3:8). He said he was the least of all the apostles (1Cor 15:9). He said if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing; he deceives himself (Gal 6:3). Again, Paul didn’t think much of himself (his flesh); but he thought a lot about Who lived in him (Phi 4:13)! Jesus must increase; we must decrease! We must humble ourselves (Mt 23:12, Jam 4:6,10, 1Pt 5:6)! We don’t need to be self promoters! The only way we can produce good fruit is to stay plugged into Jesus (Jn 15:5). Don’t blow your horn. Be right before God; that’s all that matters.

Jesus, of course, is our ultimate example. If anyone ever had a right to make a case for Himself, it was Jesus. Yet He opened not His mouth (Isa 53:7, Mt 27:12-14). He was about God’s business. When your about God’s business, you don’t have to worry about making your case. You and The Father know, and that’s all that matters. Jesus also taught us to turn the other cheek; to bless those that curse us; and pray for those that use us (Lk 6:22-38). The flesh is weak, but the spirit is willing. We have the capacity to do these things. If we didn’t, Jesus would be unjust in commanding these things. We know for certain that Jesus is not unjust. It just requires us to live a spirit controlled life; to put our flesh under; and to abide in The Vine. Jesus must increase, and we must decrease.

We want God to be glorified; we want Jesus to be exalted. As long as you are doing what God has called you to do, it doesn’t matter if anyone ever notices. You and The Father know. God must increase, we must decrease. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord!