He Must Increase--But I Must Decrease

When John the Baptist appeared on the public scene, the fullness of the prophetic hour and the power that attended his message stirred the hearts of men and women to their very depths.

The inspired Word says that “Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him.”[1] Thousands upon thousands thronged to hear the prophet’s call: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”[2] John came bearing no soft, smooth message to soothe or entertain but with words that were calculated to bring strong conviction to the heart. May the Lord grant us grace to hunger for such messages—words that stir our souls and draw us ever closer and more fully surrendered to Jesus. The Bible warns us that a time will come when people “will not endure sound doctrine.”[3] Is it possible that such a time is now here?

We know that the shaking of the church comes largely by the powerful preaching of the straight testimony.[4] And John’s preaching, burdened with love and concern for souls, brought a shaking to the people of his day. His preaching nevertheless had a special purpose. From the very start, John made it clear that his mission was to prepare a people for the One who would come after him, the One who would baptize “with the Holy Spirit and fire.”[5]

John’s role and intent was always to make way for Jesus to increase! So, he guarded himself that he might not draw any attention away from the Savior. The Bible tells us that all the people “reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not.”[6] How easily could John have allowed himself to increase—even if ever so slightly. But there was found in his heart no awe of human praise or desire for their approval. Thus, John refused to steal any glory away from Christ for himself. I pray that this attitude may also prove true for my heart and yours.

Some time later, when certain ones asked John, “Who are you?” he, knowing exactly what they were implying, immediately confessed, “I am not the Christ.” The greatest of all the prophets forbade himself to take any focus away from Christ and directed all attention back to his mission: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.”[7] His work was ever to lift Jesus higher—“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Do you know who else heard about John’s preaching? Jesus Himself! Our Savior heard the news of John’s preaching and recognized the heavenly call. Imagine—it was hearing about John’s preaching that Jesus knew His time had come.[8]

Oh, that we could fully realize that when God’s remnant people are ready for Christ to increase in every way, the Holy Spirit will descend upon the church with great power. The Spirit will be poured out, and the three angels’ messages will circle the earth as streams of light—and the earth will be filled with its glory. Jesus will again know His time has come, for it is His promise: “And when this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”[9]

Now, picture what it must have been like for John to finally see the One to whom his mission had been centered on. As John beholds the special tokens of heaven’s favor fall upon Jesus, he proclaims the most important words of his life and work. The Holy Spirit floods his soul, and with outstretched hand, he points, declaring, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”[10]

John’s whole life had been leading up to that moment. That’s why, when his own disciples later expressed concern over Jesus’ growing popularity, John could boldly declare what may be the second most significant words of his life: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

These weren’t words spoken with a forced smile or a heavy heart. There was no pretense, no hidden longing for sympathy or praise for his humility. Remember, it was after John pointed out Jesus as the Messiah that two of his own disciples followed Jesus and became the Savior’s first disciples.[11] In John 3:29, just before his beloved declaration, John uses the metaphor of the bridegroom and his friend, saying that the friend of the bridegroom rejoices greatly when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. John understood his mission, and he rejoiced in his role of pointing others to Jesus.

Consider the harm John could have done to the Savior’s mission if he had even subtly entertained the jealousy of his disciples. How often has the work of today been hindered by the secret desire to exalt self? Jealousy, envy, pride, and craving for praise—all stand in opposition to the cause of Christ. The pen of inspiration says, "The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness."[12]

May the Lord grant us victory in the greatest battle we will ever face. Through the grace of God, may we surrender our “self” completely and unconditionally to Him, with every part of our being, wholeheartedly and without reserve.

The words of the Baptist were not born of a false humility. Out of the abundance of his heart did his mouth speak. It was his true joy to decrease so that Christ could increase! Surely his disciples must have discerned this not just in his words, but in the tone of his voice, his expression, and the very atmosphere that surrounded him.

What made John great in the sight of God and all of heaven was that he ever lived to lift Jesus higher and prepare a people for His coming. So focused, so urgent was his work that it could be measured in months rather than generations. Imagine if our work could be measured in months. May we not see the number of generations continue to increase before Jesus comes.

The same question that confronted John now lies before us: Will we increase, or will He? Will we live our life for ourselves, or will we live for Him? Will we seek our own glory, or His?

My dear brothers and sisters, how wonderful it is to know that we can choose to die to self through the power of Christ! Just as John found true joy in seeing Christ increase while he decreased, so too can we. Like the Apostle Paul, we can exclaim, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”[13]

As we decrease and die to self, Christ increases in and through us. Our capacity to love increases. Our faith and trust increase. Our joy and the fullness of it increase. Jesus works within us to increase the talents He has entrusted to us for His service. We increase in our liberalities to missions both in the foreign fields and to our neighbor next door. Our knowledge in the Scriptures and of heavenly things increases, and our vigilance increases especially as we draw closer to the end of time. Ultimately, our very lives increase, for Jesus Himself has put eternity within our hearts![14] What else could we add to the list? How wonderful is our Savior and Lord, who desires so much for us!

As Jesus increases and we decrease, what limits remain for us to reach in His name? I am reminded of a beautiful promise from Testimonies for the Church: “There is no limit to the usefulness of the one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart and lives a life wholly consecrated to God.”[15]

As we prepare our hearts, homes, and churches for this year’s camp meeting, I invite you to join me in praying for a daily surrender of self to Christ. Let’s lift up His name together, for He must increase—and we must decrease!

Can’t wait to see you at Camp Meeting!