This past week I was blessed to spend some time with a man who has been a great mentor in my life. He is now well into his 80’s, yet he continues to be busy about the work of the Lord.
If I called his name, many of you would quickly recognize him. As much as any man I have ever known, he would have the right to sit back and relax. To coast for the rest of his life down easy street. He would also have the right to be filled with pride because of the great work for the Lord.
During the course of our visiting, we talked about preaching and the work of the preacher. He was talking about his desire not to ever be a detriment to the Lord’s work.
He made the statement that one of the scriptures he thinks about often is the statement made by John in regard to Jesus, when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
My friend’s statement blew me away. I’m not sure that’s what I was expecting and I’m not sure I’ve thought of it in that way. And I would say, “Shame on me.”
Every one of us who are preachers of the Gospel would do well to allow this to become our motto. “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
It should be who and what we are becoming.
It should feel our hearts, minds, and souls.
It should permeate our study.
It should determine both what we preach and how we present the Message.
It should help us in dealing with elders and co-workers.
It should be a part of the visits we make, the counseling we offer, and the meeting we attend.
