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I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day . . .” (NASB) 2 Tim. 4:7-8 Paul’s measure of success was faithful service to his Lord. He did what God called him to do, just
like John.
He Must Increase. Then John gave his disciples a parable about the friend of
a bridegroom who was happy that the bridegroom was happy.
He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. (NASB) John 3:29 At first the parable seems odd. How does it fit into the complaints of his disciples? Why did John say this?
The answer is that, rather than complain about what God was doing, John was rejoicing because it was in God’s
plan for Jesus to increase. Just as a wedding has a purpose and a plan, so God has plans to accomplish His
purpose. Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “. . .
Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (NASB) Matt. 6:10 God’s will was being done on earth. Jesus was supposed to increase and John was supposed to decrease. So
John said,
He must increase, but I must decrease. (NASB) John 3:30 |
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