*image from commons.wikimedia.org

 

As I am diving deeper into God’s word and opening my heart to God’s abounding love for me these past few weeks,  I feel like I truly have discovered the meaning of John3:30. He > I

It has definitely been one of those scriptures that continues to pop up continually like a song that gets stuck in your head on replay.

If you are like me, sometimes when I glance at the scriptures the words just seem so plain, confusing, so still, so flat. I am super analytical so I will try to take a three word scripture and try to find the meaning out of it all. Okay over analytical is more like it! Sounds strange, I know, but today these words stretched out with wide open arms, hugging my soul this morning.

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

Now I may lose you for a second, but just hang on. It will all come together at the end!

Let’s take a look at one of the promises Jesus gives us over in John 10:10
Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (Other translations say have life abundantly) I like to look at it as this too,”.. and to have abundant life, more and more and more and more, forever!” My translation!

Watch the similarities here in the following versus of “even more.”

2 Samuel 6:22″ I will humble myself even more.”

Jesus said, “Even more, those who hear the word of God and keep it are blessed!” Luke 5:15

Romans 5:20 “But where sin is multiplied, grace multiplied even more.”

Philippians 1:9 “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernments.”

But on the flip side watch this…

Ephesians 4:19 “They became callous and gave themselves over to the promiscuity of the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more.”

Genesis 37:5 “Then Joseph had a dream when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more.”

1 Samuel 18:29″ And Saul became even more afraid of David, as a result, Saul was David’s enemy from then on.”

*Beth Moore’s  Women’s Study Children of the Day illustrated these scriptures of being “even more”, and “more and more”.

*image from ifcamedia.org

I began to realize that things we feel, think, and do GROW bigger and multiply! Scary and Awesome!

*image from  mobc.org.au

Love and Hate, Sin and Grace, Fear and Peace. Even though they are opposites they are similar in the concept of growing, more and more. But God is good, isn’t he? No matter how far we let fear grow in our Hearts, he gives us peace, and instantly we are rescued to shore from the swallowing waters of fear.
No mater how much we have sinned, he tells us that his grace multiplies. Love covers a multitude of sin. “Fear not, for I am with you,” Jesus says.

So back to my topic here because I may be side drifting. When I put my faith in Christ I know that it will grow more and more. But before he can become Greater and me Less, I have to yield to he is love, his forgiveness, his patience, his endurance, his grace, his teachings, his will, his humility, his mercy, his gentleness, his meekness, his kindness, and obey his commands. I have to believe he is who he says he is.

As I emulate his ways, his attitude, his behavior, his compassion for others, like a seed planted into the soil of my heart, out springs forth a tree of Abundant Life of unspeakable joy, happiness, peace, etc.. more and more.  As I focus on all these things, my flesh desires becomes less, and less, and by abounding in Christ’s desire for the abundant life he died to give me, I am living out 2 Corinthians 3:18.

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

This can not be accomplished apart from him! I am nothing good and I can do no good with out him.

Jesus’s influence in my life has to be greater then any other influence.

My Focus on Jesus in my life has to be greater then the focus on myself.

Jesus has to be the Center of my life.

Jesus has to be the Father I run to, and the friend I confide in.

 

*image from  aristotles-muse.blogspot.com

Sweet Friend, if we truly want to follow Christ and walk in his ways, we must become less, and he, JESUS, must become Greater!

xOxo

-Leigh Leigh

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