• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Deeper Christian

Deeper Christian

Christ-Centered Bible Teaching and Resources

  • About
    • About Deeper Christian
    • About NRJohnson
  • Articles
    • How to Study the Bible
    • Bible Studies
    • Jesus in the Old Testament
    • Foundations
    • Bio Sketches
    • Book Reviews
    • Most Recent (Archive)
  • Podcasts + Videos
    • Deeper Christian Podcast
    • Bible Study Series in Ephesians
    • NRJohnson Sermon Podcast
  • Classic Quotes
  • Events
    • Speaking + Preaching
    • Israel Bible Study Tour
    • Discipleship Training
Grow Spiritually

Decreasing For His Purpose

I thought I would treat you to the musings from one of my top ten most influential Christians.  His life, and specifically his writings, have been immeasurable in my life.  This was taken from yesterday’s entry in My Utmost for His Highest (Oswald Chambers).  It was especially convicting in my own heart.

Decreasing For His Purpose

by Oswald Chambers

If you become a necessity to someone else’s life, you are out of God’s will. As a servant, your primary responsibility is to be a “friend of the bridegroom” (John 3:29). When you see a person who is close to grasping the claims of Jesus Christ, you know that your influence has been used in the right direction. And when you begin to see that person in the middle of a difficult and painful struggle, don’t try to prevent it, but pray that his difficulty will grow even ten times stronger, until no power on earth or in hell could hold him away from Jesus Christ. Over and over again, we try to be amateur providences in someone’s life. We are indeed amateurs, coming in and actually preventing God’s will and saying, “This person should not have to experience this difficulty.” Instead of being friends of the Bridegroom, our sympathy gets in the way. One day that person will say to us, “You are a thief; you stole my desire to follow Jesus, and because of you I lost sight of Him.”

Beware of rejoicing with someone over the wrong thing, but always look to rejoice over the right thing. “. . . the friend of the bridegroom . . . rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:29-30). This was spoken with joy, not with sadness-at last they were to see the Bridegroom! And John said this was his joy. It represents a stepping aside, an absolute removal of the servant, never to be thought of again.

Listen intently with your entire being until you hear the Bridegroom’s voice in the life of another person. And never give any thought to what devastation, difficulties, or sickness it will bring. Just rejoice with godly excitement that His voice has been heard. You may often have to watch Jesus Christ wreck a life before He saves it (see Matthew 10:34).

Filed Under: Christian Living, Guest Post, Humility, Ministry & Missions

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, deeperChristian will receive an affiliate commission (with no additional cost to you). It is a great way to support the work and ministry of deeperChristian. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use personally and believe will add value to our readers. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Footer

Key Content

  • Learn How to Grow Spiritually
  • The Blog (Articles)
  • Deeper Christian Podcast
  • Bible Study Series in Ephesians
  • How to Study the Bible
  • Classic Christian Quotes
  • Monthly Book Giveaway
  • Recommended Reading
  • Recommended Bible Resources
  • Contact

Learn More

  • About Deeper Christian
  • About NRJohnson
  • Speaking + Preaching
  • What I’m Reading …
  • Israel Study Tours
  • Statement of Faith
  • Copyright • Permissions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Donate

Many Christians feel frustrated because they don’t grow spiritually. We equip Christians to understand the Word of God and cultivate a passionate love for Jesus that turns the world upside down.

This ministry is maintained by the Lord through the stewardship of those who value it.

Copyright © 2023 deeperChristian.
All rights reserved.