Relationship with God through Decreasing Self, Increasing God

“He must become greater; I must become less.” -John 3:30

In a world where most people care more about getting what they deserve, John the Baptist demonstrated the kind of humility that God is looking for if a person wants to have a genuine relationship with Him.

It is about allowing God more in every aspect of your life, including your plans, emotions, and attitudes, than your rights, fame, and purity. 

When John the Baptist's followers told him about Jesus Christ, who is also doing what he does- baptizing people, He joyfully responded that it was his joy to be the best man but acknowledged that the glory belongs to Jesus Christ.

Whenever you feel entitled, you must remember that it is not yourself that should be praised but Jesus Christ.

I understand how difficult it is, especially when you know you have done everything, but people do not appreciate you. However, when we become so focused on what we must get and achievements that should be recognized, we tend to forget that we are only created by God for Him and by Him.

When our hearts are more of ourselves rather than more of God, then it only means that we are prideful. God hates the proud but is gracious to the humble. 

Thus, we can never have a genuine relationship with Him if pride overrules our being. Seeing God’s reverence and glory is difficult when we only want people to glorify what we want.

So, how can we let God increase and let ourselves decrease? 

It is about humility in everything. Humility will lead us to commit to God that whatever happens, He must increase. Regardless of how we feel about others and how they treat us, we can still show them God’s undeserved grace and amazing love.

More so, when we say, “He must increase, I must decrease,” it means dying ourselves daily for Jesus.

Now, some might misinterpret what it means to die to oneself. It does not mean we let others degrade and disrespect us; it is about treating them as Jesus Christ did. No matter how painful it was to see the people mocking Him, He prayed for them so His Father could forgive them for what they were doing.

God is not asking us to invalidate our feelings and rights. But He wants us to surrender all of them to Him so He can be seen more in our lives. 

Furthermore, the more we allow Him, the greater the power of the Holy Spirit can penetrate our hearts to lead us in producing the fruit of love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.

This action is not easy, so you have to choose it daily. Tell yourself, “Today, I must decrease so Jesus Christ could increase.”

At first, it may seem that nothing is happening, but as we continue to decide for it daily, we notice that we become more compassionate and humble to people.

We would no longer feel we are above others despite what we are doing, but we would see them as equals who need God’s grace.

Read More:How to know false humility