I Must Exalt Christ, Evans Olang

John 3:30, “He MUST increase, but I MUST decrease”

Representing Christ is an exciting thing. As a song goes, “We want to see Jesus lifted high a banner that flies across the land, that men might see that Jesus is the way to heaven”. It is a beautiful thing to represent Christ. To be His ambassador in this world. Christ MUST be exalted which means, we must raise His rank, glorify, praise, worship and honor Him. That is the number one duty of man. It’s not about position, ministry or calling that is on top, Christ is.

I am fascinated by the life of John the Baptist, he was about 6 months older than Jesus (as a Man). He was sent to be the way maker for Jesus. John understood the concept of the older serving the younger. John baptized with water unto repentance, Jesus baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire. John did ministry way before Jesus began. Some even thought he was the promised Christ. He kept on correcting them that he was not the one. He was a just a voice crying out in the wilderness preparing the way for the Lord. John was an ambassador preparing people to meet Christ, the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. John was respected and people responded to his teachings, he kept on speaking of the One to come hence decreasing that the One who had not been revealed yet would increase.  We read in John 1:26-27, “26 I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. 27 It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” John had  everyone to elevate him but never once did he take the glory. He understood that everything that was happening in his life and his ministry was about Christ. Therefore everything that he did, he made sure that Christ out shined him. John lost two of his disciples to Jesus in John 1:37 and his thought, Christ MUST increase. People were getting concerned because Jesus was getting more fame, John rejoiced in that. People followed Christ more than John, but listen to John’s response John 3:29, “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.” John’s fulfillment came  knowing that he had exalted Christ. He understood his job perfectly.

How does this apply to us as believers, we must know it is not about us but Him. Our job is to exalt Christ everywhere we go. How we act and behave will show if Christ is increasing or decreasing in our lives. Will people see more Him or more of us? The Spirit must arise and the flesh be removed. Our attitude towards people, His blessings, our callings and ministries will indicate whether we are decreasing and He is increasing or the other way round. A number became concerned that John was loosing his position, his response John 3:30, “He MUST increase” not He should increase or may increase but HE MUST. He made sure the “MUST” was in effect. John did not wait for Christ to overtake him by staying constant, he made sure he took more out of his life (decreased) for the sake of Christ. John could only bow because he was humbled, can we do the same saying “Lord is about You and not us, more of You and less of us, Whole of You and none of us, You MUST increase but I MUST decrease?”.

The bible says in 1Peter 5:6,”Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time”.  Did Christ exalt John in due season? Yes, Matthew 11:10-11, “10 For this is he of whom it is written: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.” 11″Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist”. My desire is to humble myself and decrees that He may increase in my life, I MUST exalt Him whatever the cost. Blessings Ev

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