Wednesday 22 January 2014

GREATNESS IS LESS OF YOURSELF AND MORE OF JESUS

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: " What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. Luke 7:24-26.NKJV.

If God raised someone in camel's skin in our generation will His people accept him? If God ever raised someone who ate only locusts and honey will His people not call him an occultist? If God raised someone who does not follow the tradition of the fathers will His people not fight against him? Will they not begin to dig into his life looking for his credentials? Will they not ask for his mentor? Please don't get me wrong. I'm not against people with mentors but its scriptural that not all the prophets were fostered. What is my point? Many of God's people have their own terms of accepting a preacher.

If John The Baptist had lived in our days would we have accepted him? I don't think so? When God calls anyone it is not about the person. It is another opportunity for God to reveal Himself to His people through the signs and wonders. Men have their own way of measuring greatness but how does God define greatness in His kingdom? Is it possesing big auditoriums? Is it riding in the latest automobiles? Is it appearing on all the tv stations? Is it about the number of people who troop to ones auditorium every Sunday?

Often we deceive ourselves by all the flamboyant stuff we see around. There is nothing wrong in owning a large auditorium as a ministry but that is not the kingdom's definition of greatness. I must admit sometimes I get sad when God's people measure greatness by the things I've mentioned earlier. John The Baptist had an uncommon ministry. He had to even die early but Jesus called John the greatest amongst the prophets who had ever lived. What was unique about John The Baptist? He knew his position. He knew he was just a forerunner to the Messiah. I believe John continually reminded himself of his role. John knew it was all about The Lord and nothing about himself. He said I must decrease for Jesus to increase. John knew the secret to greatness in the kingdom.

If John was ever going to be recognised in the kingdom then he was to die more and more to himself for Christ to be magnified in him. Jesus' love,humility,patience,kindness,wisdom. John knew his position. In his heart he cared more about Christ being magnified in him. John had made many disciples. He had a lot of religious leaders coming to him but he wasn't carried away by the crowd. His focus was on the commencement of The Messiah's work and The Lord being magnified in his life. Will we find many of God's servants today who care less about their reputation and more about revealing The Lord?

I believe we are in an era where God is raising John The Baptists. They may not necessarily be in camel's hair but all they will desire is Christ magnified in their lives. It wouldn't be all about the miracles and the signs. They will be people who will leave their comfort zones, go into the wilderness to be taught what greatness in the kingdom is all about. They will not be popular but God Himself will recognise them because they will be God pleasers and not people pleasers. They will be God fearing and not people fearing. The days of greater works are fast approaching but God is looking for people who will desire more of Him and less about their achievements, less about fame.

Glory To Jesus

No comments:

Post a Comment