Remove Ads

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
16) “I Must Decrease” – The Process
#1


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
Reply
#2
Quote:y? 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.
:thumbup:
Reply
#3
Self is often an unlovely thing especially in the Light of Christ.
Reply
#4
Self is often an unlovely thing especially in the Light of Christ.
Reply
#5
Self is often an unlovely thing especially in the Light of Christ.
Reply
#6
Glad I'm not the only one who has trouble posting a single reply. LOL-- I was beginning to think I just didn't know what I was doing.
Reply


Possibly Related Threads…
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  18) “I Must Decrease” – The Instrument editor 2 492 03-14-2008, 03:19 AM
Last Post: editor
  17) “I Must Decrease” – The Goal editor 2 585 03-13-2008, 02:06 AM
Last Post: editor
  15) “I Must Decrease” – The Beginning editor 2 515 03-11-2008, 04:20 AM
Last Post: editor
  11) “He Must Increase” – The Process editor 3 544 03-07-2008, 05:34 AM
Last Post: editor

Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)