03-11-2008, 04:22 AM
L E S S O N 16
“I Must Decrease” – The Process
The Law of Decrease states that “I must decrease.” In our last lesson, we
said this process of decreasing begins with the revelation of Self. Now,
just as the revelation of Christ is a continual thing, so is the revelation of
Self. A good example of this is found in Peter’s conversion. In Luke 5:8, God
opened his eyes to see the Lord, and also, to see himself. So he says to Jesus,
“Depart from me Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Peter’s ability to call Jesus “Lord”
is the result of Christ revealing Himself to Peter. Peter’s ability to see himself as a
“sinful man” is the result of Christ revealing Peter to Peter.
Another good example is the story Jesus told in Luke 18 of the two men who went
to the temple to pray – the first was a religious man, the second was a sinner. The
religious man boasted in his righteousness while the second man prayed, “God, be
merciful to me, a sinner.” Jesus said the sinner went home with a clean heart,
while the religious man did not. What made the difference? The sinner was able
to “see” himself, while the religious man did not see himself at all.
So you see, The Law of Decrease is working in sinners and in saints. I don’t
know you or how you came to the Lord, but most people do not come to Jesus
without a certain amount of Decreasing going on in their life – some kind of trial
or circumstance or need that causes them to cry out to God for salvation. And
since our trials and circumstances and needs continue so long as we live on this
earth, this process that begins long before you finally surrendered your life to Jesus
will continue on long after you are saved.
This process of decreasing continued to operate in Peter long after he first came to
the Lord. In the beginning, Peter confessed he was a sinful man. But later, Peter
was arguing right along with the rest of the disciples over which one of them
would be the greatest. He boldly said that even if everyone else left, he would
never forsake Jesus. Jesus knew what would happen because Jesus knew Peter;
but Peter did not know Peter. It was only afterwards, when he denied Jesus, that
Peter was able to see himself as he really was.
Now the process of decreasing is accomplished through repentance. According to
the Bible, repentance is more than just saying, “I’m sorry.” Repentance is more
than just feeling sorry. Repentance is a change of mind that causes a change of
heart which leads to a change of behavior.
Genuine repentance is very powerful. When something moves me so profoundly
that my mind, my heart, and my behavior changes then this is a revolutionary act.
It means I used to think a certain way, and believe a certain way, and behave a
certain way – but God has shown me a different way, and I am forsaking my way
for His. That is repentance. The more I fail the more I realize that God’s way is
superior to my way, and the more willing I am to forsake my will and embrace His
Will. This is the process of decreasing.
How many times have you allowed God to change your mind about something?
You used to think you were not so bad, but one day you realize that you really are
a sinner. You used to think good works would get you to heaven, but one day you
realized that you are saved by grace. You used to think that entering the Gate was
sufficient, but now you realize that God also calls you to walk the Narrow Path.
And so it goes. God is constantly challenging your version of truth and offering
you His version. That’s why, when Jesus began His public ministry, the first thing
He said was: “Repent – change your mind, your heart, and your behavior – because
the Kingdom of God is at hand.” Those who repented were able to hear Him;
those who did not repent did not understand.
Again, repentance is not for sinners only. Six times in the book of Revelation,
Jesus calls upon His own people to repent. Repentance isn’t for really bad people,
it’s for anyone who is growing spiritually. Why? Because as Christ is increased,
Self is decreased, and as Christ is revealed, Self is revealed, and every time I see
something more of Him, I have to decide which way I will go. Will I go the way
of Christ, or will I go the way of Self? Repentance is the continual process of
choosing the way of Christ and denying the way of Self.
Just like the increase of Christ, there is a purpose behind this decreasing of Self. A
specific result is intended. We’ll discuss the goal of decreasing in our next lesson.
QUIZ
Lesson 16 – “I Must Decrease” – The Process
1. The Process of Decreasing is accomplished when we continually choose God’s Way over our
own way. This choosing is called
a) Bible study
b) repentance
c) church attendance
2. Repentance is not just feeling sorry for our sins or praying the Sinner’s Prayer. True
repentance is a revolutionary act that causes a change of
a) mind
b) heart
c) behavior
d) all the above
3. Six times in the Book of Revelation, Jesus told His own people to repent. Why is it necessary
for someone to repent even after they are saved?
a) repentance is part of the process of decreasing
b) you might lose your salvation
c) confession makes people afraid to sin
4. Why would Jesus begin His ministry by first calling on people to repent?
a) it’s a good way to strike fear in the hearts of sinners
b) that’s the way John the Baptist preached
c) decreasing is needed before Jesus can increase