Topic: I Must Decrease [Monday 9, October 2017]
Memorise: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John 3:30
Read: John 3:25-30
25 Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Bible In One Year: Matthew 18-20. Hymn: Sing Hymn 14 – Onward Christian Soldiers
MESSAGE:
For Jesus Christ to be fully formed in us, we must learn the secret of reducing our carnal nature to the level of divine approval. When a person is born, he is born loaded with traits that are enmity with God and consequently bring His wrath. An Apostle of Christ lists some things that make a typical fallen man; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). These are the sins into which the first man and woman fell and we inherited. We must get rid of them if we want Christ to be fully formed in us. The pride of life is a subtle and complex sin for many reasons. Firstly, the proud will never accept that he is proud; except the power of regeneration comes upon the individual.
Our carnal man must die so that Jesus Christ can increase in us, and gradually, we shall be transformed to conform to the image of the Son of the living God. Beloved, I want to encourage you to make a decision to decrease that Jesus may increase. Let the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22 characterize your lifestyle.
Prayer Point: Father, please help me to be transformed to the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ my Saviour.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional for Teen’s guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.
