John makes this simple but thought-provoking statement "He must increase but I must decrease." It is powerful because its shortness and directness force us to examine its depths. It is both an explanation to his disciples of what is happening right now along the Jordan river and also a reminder of his role and calling given to him by God.

 

John knew, and now his disciples knew, that his light must fade while Jesus’ light must shine brighter. The more Jesus and his ministry increased, John proportionately must decrease. This may not have seemed right to John’s disciples, after all it was John who had baptized Jesus and called out, “Behold, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.” But for John it was not a hard truth, but a joyous one. It was not difficult to be humble because he was looking to Jesus, how could he see himself as important compared to the glory of Jesus Christ.

 

 

John said, I must decrease in myself in order for Jesus to increase. That was not just a true statement about John and his relationship to Jesus but it is a universal true statement about us and our relationship to Jesus. This must be our understanding and also our action.

 

Think of it this way, If you were to be riding in a hot old fashioned hot air balloon, in order to rise higher, you must throw the ballast over board. To rise even higher even more valuable things must be tossed or even sacrificed. So, it is with the Christian in their relationship to Jesus. To rise higher with him I must toss out the things in my life that hold me down. I must decrease in myself that I might increase in Jesus Christ.

 

 

Col. 1:27 1st step Launch with the right pilot, it's Christ in you

To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

 

Col. 2:6-7 2nd step Stay the course, As ye received so walk.

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

 

Col. 2:20-22 3rd step Let go the regulation rope, tied to the world.

Therefore if ye are dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) according to the commandments and doctrines of men?

 

Col. 3:1-2 4th Step Breath the rarefied air.

If ye then were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

 

We are alive with Christ, therefore, we must then look to Christ, love the things of Christ, and know that our life is hid with Christ.

 

If you're going to rise in your relationship with Jesus, then your own efforts, strength, and will must cease. They must be the ballast you throw overboard. Then you can rise up and Jesus will be the one piloting your course. "He will increase as I decrease."

 

 

Do you remember the story of Paul’s shipwreck on the island of Melita in Acts 7? It is a picture of throwing away our own resources and trusting in God. We won’t read the passage but you remember the story. Days without seeing the sun, terrible winds a terrible storm and all they could do was let the ship run before the wind. They began tossing over board everything that could weight the ship down. First the Cargo: They lightened the ship; then the Reserves: And the third day we cast out the tackling of the ship. Next any Hope in themselves: all hope taken away. Then even cut away their only means of Escape: cut off the ropes of the boat and let her fall off. Their threw away their Future: they lightened the ship, and cast the wheat into the sea. Finally, even Themselves: cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: When it was all gone, they realized, All they needed was God. Acts 27:43-44 they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

 

They cast away everything until all they had left was God. There is a saying, “When you come to the place in your life when God is all you have left, then you will realize that God was all you ever needed."