Yesterday I had humility on my mind for some reason, and whenever I think of humility John 3:30 is always the first scripture that comes to mind. I can still remember reading it for the first time last year and being in such a state of awe. Here is a guy, John the Baptist, whose identity to the world is the dude who baptizes people. His identity is in his name "the Baptist," but the best part of this event is that John knows where his real identity lies.
In John chapter 1 John the Baptist gives a testimony of who he is. He responds to the claims that he isn't the Christ, or Elijah, or the Prophet, but he tells the people of the coming of Jesus the true Christ. He tells them that "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie" (John 1:26-27). He goes on in the next few verses to describe the coming of Jesus and he explains that, "this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit."
Then in chapter 3 John's disciples come to him confused and they ask why the people go to Jesus to be baptized. And John's response is so humble and beautiful. He says in verse 27 that "A person cannot recieve even one thing unless it is given to him from heaven." Then he explains how he has already told them of the Christ, and he ends with John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease." Everytime I read this verse the humility and simplicity of it amaze me. It's so beautiful. John's identity to these people has been taken away, and they don't understand. I mean he is John the Baptist, but John knows he who is greater has come and humbly resigns his position. John's very next sentence in verse 31 is "He who comes from above is above all." Jesus is above all. John denies his own identity to his disciples, because he understands his new identity and eternal life in Jesus.
When I was thinking about this yesterday I was thinking about my identity to the world. What would it be? And I came up with I'm Geoff Watson a college student at the University of Florida. Then I started thinking if God called me to give this up for his glory could I deny myself to the world, because of my faith in my new identity in Jesus? I know this a hypothetical question, but this happens on a smaller level on a daily basis. Do we always respond with the simplicity that John did? Do we always strive to imitate Christ and his humility Paul talks about in Philippians chapter 2? We as Christ followers are also called to be Christ imitators.
I believe what John says right afterwards is key to living a life of humility. (Now this next section is a little stream of consciousness so bear with me I will make a point at the end I promse.) "He who is from above is above all." It makes me think of Colossians 3:2 "Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." This then reminds me of Philippians 3:20 "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." All of this brings me back to a famous John Piper quote "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him." I know that is a lot, but I think it all makes sense. When we focus on things above we focus on our citizenship (identity) in heaven and that is satisfying. I rejoice when I think about being a citizen of heaven and salvation through Christ, and if I am focused on eternity it is so easy to humble myself and deny this world which then glorifies God. And that what it's about living a life following Christ and glorifying God. Granted my focus is not always on heaven which can definitely pose a problem.
I really think humility came to my mind, because lately I have found my focus wandering as school gets busier I seem to get more and more absorbed by the world. My challenge to myself and to everyone reading this is to just be aware of your focus. I pray that God has shown you something this message and that he will set all of our minds on our citizenship in heaven and he will make us aware when our focus drifts.
"'I do not exist', we faithfully insist,
While watching sink the heavy ship with everything we knew.
And if ever you come near, I'll hold up high a mirror.
Lord, I could never show you anything as beautiful as you!"
~Aaron Weiss
College, and life outside of college is full of distractions. Staying focused is a challenge to all of us - whatever our station in life. My faith, your faith, helps us to work towards that focus while continuing to be a beacon for Christ. I pray for you, Bobby and Joshua every night and I always pray that you will hear God's call, listen, and be patient. Understand that our life span is but a nano second in His eyes. My sisters and I prayed for my fathers salvation for 22 years. God answered that prayer, as he said he would, 2 months before he died. Some may have given up but we knew Dad would hear Him call. His cancer, while awful, allowed him to change his focus. Humility is something I find myself working towards. Keep up the good work, and the college work :-) God is working in you!
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