DCLM Higher Everyday 16 August 2023 — No Competition With Christ
DCLM Higher Everyday 16 August 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — No Competition With Christ
Topic: No Competition With Christ
Text: John 3:22-31
23And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
24For John was not yet cast into prison.
25Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30He must increase, but I must decrease.
31He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
Key Verse: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
Message
Science discovered that the moon has no light of its own. What is called moonlight is actually a reflection of sunlight. Thus, withdrawal of sunlight, otherwise termed sunset, results in darkness, called night. The moon therefore cannot compete with the sun which gives it light to reflect toward the earth. In the same vein, John the Baptist could not compete with Christ, his Creator.
John the Baptist was called to forerun the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who actually anointed him for the work. The beginning of the public ministry of Jesus Christ is synonymous with the commencement of the decline of that of John the Baptist. But, in their ignorance, John’s disciples were complaining to him that people were trooping to Jesus for salvation and baptism. Rather than confronting Jesus Christ, as expected by his ignorant disciples, John explained to them that there was actually no room for competition. Jesus remains the Lord, and must increase while the rest of us his servants must decrease, as asserted by John. Our youths should also stay humble serving under their leaders in the Church.
Quote: Jesus remains the Lord
Challenge: No wise servant ever competes with his master.
Prayer for today: Help me Oh God, to decrease as Jesus increases in my life.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
