As We Decrease Christ Will Increase

TODAY’S READING: Job 30; Psalm 120; Galatians 3; Galatians 4

SCRIPTURE: Galatians 3:26-29 

“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

OBSERVATION:

What jumps out here to me is the level playing field that we have in Christ.  Jesus took all competitive points and biases out of the equation regarding our relationship with God.  He took it all away which in essence took away all of our insecurities in our relationship with God.  If we are in Christ then when the Father sees us He sees Jesus “in whom He’s well pleased.”

We don’t have to compare or compete our way into God’s grace.  In fact I think that would change the very nature of what Grace is.

APPLICATION:

The flip side is that as I gain security I have to give up our pride and replace our source of value.  Rather than having pride in what I have accomplished, or view my righteousness in comparison to others’, or bank on my heritage, I have to measure my life against the plan, purpose, and righteousness of God.  There is something about this perspective that strips away arrogance, pride, and elitism.  There is something about that perspective that makes you grateful for grace.  There is something about that that causes you to decrease and Christ to increase in your life.

PRAYER:

Father, help me to decrease so that Jesus will increase.  Help me to lay down my life daily and live the life of Christ.  Forgive me for putting my trust in anything other than you.  Help me to tear down the things that I have set up as securities in my life that are not You - intelligence, finances, spiritual disciplines, etc.. You are my All-In-All.  You are my only hope.  I love you and praise you for you goodness to me.  In Jesus Name -AMEN!