
John 3:30 -- He must become greater, and I must become less important.
You want a New Year’s resolution? There it is:
I must become less important so that Jesus will become more important.
What does that look like? Well, for one, the plans I make should be more about what Jesus wants for me, and not what I want for myself. The things I do should be to glorify Him, not me. The places I go should be by His direction and for His purpose, not due to human wisdom or desire.
But how, exactly?
Romans 14:17 -- In the kingdom of God, eating and drinking are not important. The important things are living right with God, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
The Bible says to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. So, what is the Kingdom of God? According to this passage it is living right, peace, and joy.
So if we are to “become less so Jesus can become more” then we need to focus on those things that bring or promote living right, joy, or peace.
This would be so much more than just a list of resolutions, most of which are usually mostly selfish in nature. And many of which are forgotten about within a few days or weeks.
Living right with God would be a “biggie” for decreasing myself and increasing Jesus. That is more than just a handful of incidental things. It would seem to be a whole-life idea.
Joy, well that is more than happiness. I often say that happiness comes from happenings, but joy comes from Jesus.
And peace? Well, let’s just say, “It begins at home!”
Lamentations 3:22-23 -- The Lord’s love never ends; his mercies never stop. They are new every morning; Lord, your loyalty is great
If the Lord’s mercies are new every morning, then that appears to be the best way to accomplish the resolution we made at the beginning. Every morning I must renew my commitment to become less important so that Jesus can become more important. And if I do that every morning I am much more likely to be successful in keeping this one-and-only resolution.
Isaiah 58:11-12 -- The Lord will always lead you. He will satisfy your needs in dry lands and give strength to your bones. You will be like a garden that has much water, like a spring that never runs dry. Your people will rebuild the old cities that are now in ruins; you will rebuild their foundations. You will be known for repairing the broken places and for rebuilding the roads and houses.
Now there’s good news! Remember, we are not alone. Look at the promises God makes to those who become less so He can become more. Provision. Prosperity, Security. Strength. Stability.
You want a New Year’s resolution? There it is:
I must become less important so that Jesus will become more important.
What does that look like? Well, for one, the plans I make should be more about what Jesus wants for me, and not what I want for myself. The things I do should be to glorify Him, not me. The places I go should be by His direction and for His purpose, not due to human wisdom or desire.
But how, exactly?
Romans 14:17 -- In the kingdom of God, eating and drinking are not important. The important things are living right with God, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
The Bible says to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. So, what is the Kingdom of God? According to this passage it is living right, peace, and joy.
So if we are to “become less so Jesus can become more” then we need to focus on those things that bring or promote living right, joy, or peace.
This would be so much more than just a list of resolutions, most of which are usually mostly selfish in nature. And many of which are forgotten about within a few days or weeks.
Living right with God would be a “biggie” for decreasing myself and increasing Jesus. That is more than just a handful of incidental things. It would seem to be a whole-life idea.
Joy, well that is more than happiness. I often say that happiness comes from happenings, but joy comes from Jesus.
And peace? Well, let’s just say, “It begins at home!”
Lamentations 3:22-23 -- The Lord’s love never ends; his mercies never stop. They are new every morning; Lord, your loyalty is great
If the Lord’s mercies are new every morning, then that appears to be the best way to accomplish the resolution we made at the beginning. Every morning I must renew my commitment to become less important so that Jesus can become more important. And if I do that every morning I am much more likely to be successful in keeping this one-and-only resolution.
Isaiah 58:11-12 -- The Lord will always lead you. He will satisfy your needs in dry lands and give strength to your bones. You will be like a garden that has much water, like a spring that never runs dry. Your people will rebuild the old cities that are now in ruins; you will rebuild their foundations. You will be known for repairing the broken places and for rebuilding the roads and houses.
Now there’s good news! Remember, we are not alone. Look at the promises God makes to those who become less so He can become more. Provision. Prosperity, Security. Strength. Stability.