There is some disagreements going on with John the Baptist’s followers (John 3:22-26)
We see in these few verses that Christ and His disciples are getting upset because they realize that Christ is beginning to get a bigger following then John. It is easy to look down at these men and say how dare they get jealous of what Christ is doing. After all He is the Son of God, they should have known that. He was doing the work of God’s kingdom just as John was doing. But is it not the same in our lives do we not many times look over and see how another church is growing and doing all kinds of things we cannot do, and say why are they growing? Or how about we bring it a little closer home, do we not look at other people around us and become jealous of what they have, we ask what have they done to deserve all the things they have. Look at them they don’t even go to church, they are the worst kind of sinners. Even worse we say they go to church but I don’t believe they even stay awake during the Sunday morning talk. What is happening is we are no longer focusing our lives on God but on ourselves. The more jealous we become the more envious we become of that person or group. We no longer are focused on God but focused on how we are being wronged.
In Genesis chapter 37 we read how Joseph’s brother were jealous of Joseph’s relationship with their father. It was because of their Jealousy they came to hate him and sold him into slavery. It was that fact that they were so self-centered that they could not even see that what they were doing was wrong. If we begin to look at why we do what we do how much of it is because of an attitude of jealousy or envy. We speak ill of someone out of jealousy we think people owe us something because they have more. It all stems from jealousy and envy. John’s followers where blinded by jealousy and envy.
Our Focus Must be on Christ and Not on Us (John 3:22-35)
John quickly reminds his followers it is not about him but about Christ. That he was to prepare the way for Christ. He was merely the bridegroomsmen’s freind, he got everything ready and prepared for the Groom then as the guest arrived all the focus was shifted and given to Groom. He did what he was to do, and was pleased to watch Christ take the center stage. We often forget in the church that it is not about us at all, no it is all about God. It is God that saves, it is God that Builds His church, and we are here to put the focus on God. It has nothing to do with how good we are, none of us on our own are able to save our souls from hell. Only God is able to do that, yet how many times do we want it to be about us and what we have done to save ourselves? But only through the love of God are we saved, we must allow God to enter into our lives and take over. We must no longer think that it is about us, it has never been about us. It has always been about God and His divine greatness and love.
John said it best “He must increase and I must decrease.” How many of if we are truthful with ourselves want that to happen. How many of us really want to have God increase in our lives and us decrease, it is really not as easy to do as it is to say. It means that we must give up ourselves and love God, not just love God but give Him our all. I like how Frances Chan describes what our love for God should look like in his book Crazy Love. “Christians have been taught in church or by their parents to set aside a daily time for prayer and Scripture reading. It’s what we are supposed to do, and so for a long time it’s what I valiantly attempted. When I didn’t, I felt guilty. Over time I realized that when we love God, we naturally run to Him—frequently and zealously. Jesus didn’t command that we have a regular time with Him each day. Rather, He tells us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” He called this the “first and greatest commandment” (Matt. 22:37–38). The results are intimate prayer and study of His Word. Our motivation changes from guilt to love. This is how God longs for us to respond to His extravagant, unending love: not with a cursory “quiet time” plagued by guilt, but with true love expressed through our lives. Like my little girl running out to the driveway to hug me each night because she loves me.” The reward for truly loving God is so much greater than what this world has to offer us. John told his followers “33 He who has received His testimony nhas certified that God is true. 34 oFor He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit pby measure. 35 qThe Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 rHe who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the swrath of God abides on him.” God has given us a choice we can either truly follow Him believe His word and receive the gift of everlasting life, or we can choose the path that leads to eternal punishment.
Chan, Francis (2008-05-01). Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (pp. 54-55). David C Cook. Kindle Edition.
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