I Must Decrease
When a man is born again of God (1 Pet 1:3), he is a new creation (2 Cor 5:17). He who began a good work in this man (Phil 1:6), is transforming the affection of this new creature. Old things are passing away and new things have come.
The natural man is ambitious for the world. He loves the world and all that is in it. The natural man desires accumulation, possession, and manipulation of whatever he can control. Life is a sort of game for the worldling.
People compete with one another in the world’s system (Eccl 4:4). They labor, striving with their neighbors for advantages, profit, and pride. They boast in themselves, and how their contributions have made the world a better place. They claim to be world changers.
The Bible presents us with an entirely different assessment of humanity. The Scriptures do not look upon men with a favorable judgment (Gen 6:5; Jer 17:9; Rom 3:10–12). This is the reason the natural man has no interest in the Word of God (Mt 13:19; 1 Cor 2:14). Most people have heard enough about the Bible’s judgment that they simply avoid allowing themselves exposure to this Word of truth.
Consider John the Baptist’s witness of Jesus Christ in John 3:30, “He (Jesus) must increase; I (John) must decrease.” This sentiment is egregious to the flesh of men, in the world. People want more, not less. They want increase, not decrease. If one’s relationship to Jesus causes a decrease, the unregenerate wants nothing to do with Him.
Further, the persecution of Christians in the world does not escape the attention of the natural man (Mt 5:10–12). If Jesus can help the man of the world get more of the world, then he will stand with Jesus. If Jesus hinders the man, he will deny Christ for his own worldly benefit.
Earnest Christians can struggle with this spirit of decrease, too. The flesh wages war with the Spirit (Gal 5:17), in the believer. Suffering decrease may be in the loss of position, power, pecuniary means, or favor with people. Job decreased, where the rich young ruler did not. The rich fool increased in material wealth, but his soul was required of him, far sooner than he imagined. Zacchaeus, by contrast, self-decreased by conviction of sin and the desire to live right before God.
The economic teachings of the Bible point the Christian heavenward (Col 3:2). The opportunity cost of gaining more of the world is often diminished, by one’s focus on the kingdom of God (2 Cor 6:10). For those who make friends for eternal habitations (Lk 16:9), by storing up treasure in heaven (Mt 6:20), there is a decrease. One cannot serve God and mammon (Mt 6:24; Lk 16:13), and the direction of service reveals the heart of love for God…or the world.
The natural man could never comply with the biblical command, “Do not love the world (1 Jn 2:15),” because that is exactly what the natural man does with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength. His ambition is to please himself.
The transformation of the Christian is profound for this reason. The believer claims, “It is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me (Gal 2:20).” Instead of rejoicing in gain, he claims to count all things as loss because his ambition is now to gain Christ (Phil 3:7–8). By the power of the indwelling Spirit of Christ (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11; Jas 4:5), the Christian mind, which is the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16) is set on the things above (Col 3:2). This again, is remarkable. The allure of the world has less effect because the view to the things of God is far greater. Jesus becomes the magnificent obsession for the regenerate.
In this way, the Christian’s decrease in the world is his increase in the kingdom of God’s beloved Son (Col 1:13). All the spiritual blessings of God are in Christ (Eph 1:3). Therefore, as Christ increases, it is to the benefit of the one in union with Him (Jn 17:22–23). This, of course, is confusing to the natural man, who sees no value in what he cannot see. Therefore, he continues to store up his treasure on the earth, even though he is aware that he will leave this world with nothing (1 Tim 6:7).
In conclusion, one must first be born of the Spirit (1 Pet 1:3), becoming a citizen of New Jerusalem (Phil 3:20), the heavenly Zion (Heb 11:16). He must have the indwelling Spirit (Rom 8:9, 11), to guide him into all truth (Jn 16:13), about the vanity of this world, Christ’s victory over it, and the world to come…which is far better.
Friend, are you investing your life in a world where you are sure to lose everything, including your own soul (Lk 9:25)? If so, you must consider the prospectus of heaven, the Bible. In God’s written Word (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20–21), you will learn of a new heavens and a new earth (Rev 21–22), where righteousness dwells (2 Pet 3:13).
The King in the kingdom of God is none other than Jesus Christ (1 Tim 6:15). Your relationship to Him is either love or hostility. Examine your heart and judge for yourself…where is the treasure of your heart invested? If you are poorly invested, today, then repent to the better investment…not of this world.
The whole of your life is either on the wide way of loss and destruction, or it has interest in the ever-increasing value of Jesus Christ. Along with all of God’s people, you will want Him to increase.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
December 25, 2022
