John 3:30 - Reflecting and Uplifting Jesus Not Self!

John 3:30 (KJV)  He must increase, but I must decrease.

John 3:30 (TLB)  He must become greater and greater, and I must
become less and less.

These are the last words by John the Baptist recorded in this
Gospel. [New Bible Companion]

These are almost the last recorded words of John prior to his
imprisonment. Surely, words more humble, more submissive, more unselfish than
those of John upon this occasion have never been uttered. [SDA
Commentary]

It was not with envy that he said that Jesus must increase and
he must decrease; it was with joy. It may be that sometimes we
would do well to remember that it is not to ourselves we must try to
attach people; it is to Jesus Christ. It is not for ourselves we seek
the loyalty of men; it is for him. [Barclay Commentary]

These words form a truly fitting motto for every aspiring
servant of Christ. [Jamieson, Fausset, And Brown Commentary]

Exalting Christ rather than ourselves is a true measure of
greatness! [Victor Bible Background Commentary]

Get to the end of yourself where you can do nothing, but where
He does everything. [In His Time; My Utmost For His Highest re
Mat.3:11]

Important lessons are presented to us in the experience of
Elijah.... Six times he prayed earnestly, and yet there was no sign that
his petition was granted, but with a strong faith he urged his plea
to the throne of grace.... We have a God whose ear is not closed to
our petitions; and if we prove His word, He will honor our faith. He
wants us to have all our interests interwoven with His interests, and
then He can safely bless us; for we shall not then take glory to self
when the blessing is ours, but shall render all the praise to God.
God does not always answer our prayers the first time we call upon
Him; for should He do this, we might take it for granted that we had
a right to all the blessings and favors He bestowed upon us.
Instead of searching our hearts to see if any evil was entertained by
us, any sin indulged, we should become careless, and fail to realize
our dependence upon Him, and our need of His help. Elijah humbled
himself until he was in a condition where he would not take the glory to
himself. This is the condition upon which the Lord hears prayer, for then
we shall give the praise to Him. (RH March 27, 1913). 2BC1034,5

Elijah prayed. Six times... But the prophet did not give up in
discouragement. He kept reviewing his life, to see where he had failed to honor
God, he confessed his sins, and thus continued to afflict his soul
before God, while watching for a token that his prayer was answered. As
he searched his heart, he seemed to be less and less, both in his
own estimation and in the sight of God. It seemed to him that he was
nothing, and that God was everything; and when he reached the point of
renouncing self, while he clung to the Saviour as his only strength and
righteousness, the answer came. (RH May 26, 1891). 2BC1034,5

When you look at a church steeple let it remind you of the
thought in passage that He, Jesus, must increase in my life as I, self,
must decrease for just as a church steeple becomes smaller and
smaller the closer is gets to heaven. [Clayton Harmon]