Perspectives

He must increase

By Miles McNair
Posted 9/16/21

Often when we look at the world around us we find people we just don’t agree with. When I say this, I mean we are right, they are wrong, end of the story and to have a conversation about this …

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Perspectives

He must increase

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Often when we look at the world around us we find people we just don’t agree with. When I say this, I mean we are right, they are wrong, end of the story and to have a conversation about this would be paramount to a day spent in Chinese water torture. 

If only they would just get it, if only they would just use their brain they would understand, if only … And the list could go on. Scripture tells us that, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” 

That might mean we stay away from some people or just exchange the time of day, but in most cases, that means humbling ourselves and, dare I say, putting ourselves in service to them.

Is this not what Christ did? Christ proclaimed that he came not to be served but to serve and that didn’t just mean the people he agreed with. 

We can clearly see this in Romans chapter five, as it lists the traits of those Christ came to serve. Stop here, grab your Bible and read verses one through 11. How many positive descriptors did you read about those for whom Christ came to serve and give himself? How many negative? 

You see, this little exercise points us toward true Christ-like behavior, a Philippians 2 mentality — you know, where God calls us to have the same mind as Christ Jesus, to give of oneself to the utmost for the benefit of others.

I know that it can be a struggle, a real struggle when I think of so and so, or that one fella that I never see eye to eye with or … again the list can go on, but it shouldn’t. It should stop there and a realignment of our hearts and minds with that of God’s should take place, so that Christ may be glorified because, “He must increase, and I must decrease.”    

(Miles McNair is the connections pastor at New Life Church of Powell.)

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