Genuine Service Selfless Servanthood Bending, Bowing, our Spirits to “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:27-30

John 3:27-30 Amplified Bible

²⁷ John replied, “A man can receive nothing [he can claim nothing at all] unless it has been granted to him from heaven [for there is no other source than the sovereign will of God]. ²⁸ You yourselves are my witnesses that I stated, ‘I am not the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed),’ but, ‘I have [only] been sent ahead of Him [as His appointed forerunner and messenger to announce and proclaim His coming].’ ²⁹ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and listens to him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this pleasure and joy of mine is now complete. ³⁰ He must increase [in prominence], but I must decrease.

Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

There are people who claim to be experts at reading body language. They can discern what is being communicated in the ways others position their bodies and hands and by the facial expressions they make. This could be a useful skill, especially for knowing—or at least coming close to knowing—whether someone is being genuine or false.

There are ways, though, that Christians can conduct themselves with inauthenticity that cannot be read by people fluent in body language. It’s a sad fact that different motivations drive people to serve in the name of Christ. Some people serve not out of genuine interest in the well-being of others but with self-interest leading the way. They may want to be noticed. They may crave a pat on the back. They may be pursuing a good reputation. Such a motivation may lead to good things being done, but it doesn’t produce genuine service. Christian service, in other words, can be fake. From a distance, it looks like the real thing, but get up close and you find it to be wanting.

So how do we know what is authentic? Here are two signs of a genuine heart of service for us to look for in ourselves, as well as in others.

First is the willingness to serve in anonymity. This is the kind of service that delights in doing good regardless of any attention. “Among those born of women none is greater than John,” said Jesus Himself (Luke 7:28)—and yet the Baptist longed to see Christ glorified at his own expense, a passion articulated so memorably when he confessed, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Second is the existence of sincerity. The apostle Paul affirmed that his friend Timothy, for example, was “genuinely concerned” for the Philippians’ welfare, unlike those who “seek their own interests” (Philippians 2:20-21). Epaphroditus, too, was “longing for” the good of the Philippian church (v 26). Such longing cannot be faked but arises out of genuine love.

What does John 3:27-30 mean?

In verse 27, God gives people to Jesus, and they leave John the Baptist and go to Jesus. This is God’s doing. This is part of the “must” of verse 30. And in verse 28, God sends John not to be the Christ but to go declare, go before and point to him. It’s God’s plan John gathers a people and then send them away to Jesus.

What is the meaning of John 3:28-30?

John 3:28-29 (NIV)

John had indeed confessed freely to them that he was definitely not the Christ.

Luke 1:12-17 Amplified Bible

¹² When Zacharias saw the angel, he was troubled and overcome with fear. ¹³ But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your petition [in prayer] was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him  ^[a] John.  ¹⁴ You will have great joy and delight, and many will rejoice over his birth, ¹⁵ for he will be great and distinguished in the sight of the Lord; and will never drink wine or liquor, and he will be filled with and empowered to act by the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. ¹⁶ He will turn many of the sons of Israel back [from sin] to [love and serve] the Lord their God. ¹⁷ It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous [which is to seek and submit to the will of God]—in order to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord.”

John was sent ahead as an ambassador to prepare the way for Jesus’ coming by calling people back to a proper relationship with God through the repentance of their sins.

What does the Bible verse John 3:30 mean?

It is interesting to know that just because Jesus is Lord, He only becomes Lord of your life when you allow Him to do so.

John the Baptist stated here, “He must become greater; I must become less.” If you allow Jesus to be Lord of your life, you are allowing Him to become greater.

Preacher DL Moody declared that he was “content to be God’s errand boy.”

Could you say that with integrity?

Would, should, could, do you, delight in decreasing in status if that means only Christ’s glory will increase?

Do you have real concern—longing, even—for the good of others?

Those around us may not be able to tell what motivates us, but we can be sure that the Savior we claim to serve most certainly can.

Perhaps this is a good opportunity to prayerfully consider the example of Paul, who said,

“I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus” (Acts 20:24).

Dare ourselves to ask God for .01% the grace to echo these words with sincerity.

Who knows what He will do with the life you have fully surrendered to Him?

Psalm 139:23-24 Complete Jewish Bible

²³ Examine me, God, and know my heart;
test me, and know my thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is in me any hurtful way,
and lead me along the eternal way.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Praying ….

Psalm 16 Complete Jewish Bible

16 ⁽⁰⁾ Mikhtam. By David:

⁽¹⁾ Protect me, God,
for you are my refuge.
² I said to Adonai, “You are my Lord;
I have nothing good outside of you.”
³ The holy people in the land are the ones
who are worthy of honor; all my pleasure is in them.

⁴ Those who run after another god
multiply their sorrows;
To such gods I will not offer
drink offerings of blood
or take their names on my lips.

⁵ Adonai, my assigned portion, my cup:
you safeguard my share.
⁶ Pleasant places were measured out for me;
I am content with my heritage.

⁷ I bless Adonai, my counselor;
at night my inmost being instructs me.
⁸ I always set Adonai before me;
with him at my right hand, I can never be moved;
⁹ so my heart is glad, my glory rejoices,
and my body too rests in safety;
¹⁰ for you will not abandon me to Sh’ol,
you will not let your faithful one see the Abyss.
¹¹ You make me know the path of life;
in your presence is unbounded joy,
in your right hand eternal delight.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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