I am Nothing

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

I am a pastor and more importantly, I love every minute of it. I don’t want anyone to miss understand this particular title so I desire to make sure you understand. I am not depressed. I am not feeling sorry for myself. I am not suffering from self deprivation. I know that in the grand scheme of our Lord’s ministry that I am nothing and He is everything. It was the theme of the great witness, John the Baptist. He knew that he would die soon and the ministry would continue with The true Lamb of God. John knew the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, would make the way of salvation known to others and to accomplish all through Himself and not on others. John knew he was just a part of God’s plan. John 1:19-27

In many ways I feel young men are falling into the trap of egotism. They are mesmerized with certain evangelist and preachers that seemingly have greater knowledge and ability than others of their ilk. I ask many young men a simple question. The answer they give tells me so much more about them. The question is, “Do you truly know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?” I do not ask this question for shock value but to find out if they have a true faith in Jesus. Surprisingly, many struggle over this question and seek to find an answer filled with “Human Wisdom.” The answer should be simply, “Oh yes, I am redeemed not of myself, but by the precious blood of Christ.”

There is nothing wrong with wisdom, but when young men begin challenging you and me with their great philosophy, we need to answer honestly, “Explain your question.” We need to further ask, “What do you mean?” We need to ask them why they can’t explain simply.” When this is done we will find an empty shell of an man who thinks they know more than anyone else, or try to divert the question without properly answering. These young men need to stop and go back to Jesus and become nothing. I for one, am not impressed with your knowledge. If you cannot explain yourself like Jesus, then young man, you have nothing to offer me. Did Jesus speak with such advanced knowledge that no one could understand? Yet before the people He showed Himself as nothing. He spoke with parables and He always spoke the truth. To put it in modern vernacular, “He said it like it is.” To the woman at the well Jesus told her that He was the Christ. To the woman taken in adultery, He said, “Go and sin no more.” To the crowd He declared that He was the Christ and they stopped following Him. Yet, to the twelve He explained things clearly.

I don’t care one little bit about man made wisdom, but seek to be simple for the lost sake. We sing an old hymn, “Christ Receiveth Sinful Men.” In that song is the simple statement: “Make the message plain.” The world needs Christ and not your human philosophy. Seek Christ. Emulate Him. Tell the lost world of His Passion. Become nothing to the world and let Christ lift you up.