The Right Model
There are pithy statements that can be profound when integrated into one’s life. For example, “carpe diem” helped shape a generation. “Rome was not built in a day” is necessary for most complex endeavors. And we all need to remember, “tomorrow is another day,” from time to time. My personal favorite may be, “American runs on Dunkin’,” but I digress. There is another one with profound potential on our personal lives and the direction of our families. “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3.30).
These words, spoken by the one sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus, reflect a heart that understood the significance of Jesus. Lest we forget, John was a remarkable servant of God. Jesus gave him one of the highest compliments possible in Luke 7.28. He was specifically chosen to be the forerunner of the most important ministry ever. I could list many more incredible features of John, but that is not what he desired. For him, it was all about Jesus, and his powerful statement above illustrates that point.
What if every Christian family followed this motto? What if our hearts desired nothing more than to increase Jesus in our lives in favor of our personal wants and desires? Consider the possible ramifications. There might be more time in God’s word and less time on electronic devices such as computers, phones, tablets, and televisions. There might be more service projects instead of leisure time. There might be as much emphasis on one’s biblical education as one’s secular education. There might be more desire to fellowship with our spiritual family. It is even possible that we might not constantly portray to our children that the most important things in life are secular success and doing what satisfies me.
“He must increase, but I must decrease” is a heart issue. This is not something that can be accomplished without a renewed mind that has been transformed through the knowledge of Christ (see Romans 12.1-2). However, the opposite is true as well. How could one truly understand and know Jesus and not have the same desire as John? Maybe we should begin by using John’s motto as a test for our hearts. Do we truly have this desire? The early church did not spread the gospel message to the entire world because they were moderately interested in Christianity. It spread because many Christians decided to increase Jesus in all areas of their lives and in the world. It sounds like the correct model for us as well.