In John 3, the Apostle John emphasizes a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a living relationship that begins with the new birth, the birth from above. When we receive Jesus Christ into our lives, we share His very life and become children in the family of God.

It is also a loving relationship, for He is the Bridegroom and we are part of the bride. Like John the Baptist, we desire that Jesus Christ increase as we decrease. He must receive all the honor and glory.

It is a learning relationship, for He is the faithful witness who shares God’s truth with us. What a delight it is to receive His Word, meditate on it, and make it a part of our very lives.
But we must never forget the cost of these blessings. For us to be born into God’s family, Jesus Christ had to die. For us to enter into the loving relationship of salvation, He had to endure the hatred and condemnation of men.

He had to be lifted up on the cross so that we might experience forgiveness and eternal life. May we never take this for granted!

Verse for today: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

Additional Scripture: John 3:17-18; 1 John 1:1-7; Romans 8:1-4, 11, 13-16, 23, 26-27.

Action assignment: Determine how in the day ahead you can honor Christ and live out John 3:30.
WARREN W. WIERSBE
www.backtothebible.in