Friday, February 24, 2017

God's Longsuffering - 5 (LG62)


‘Last Generation’
Luke 7:28 “For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
    Why was John the Baptist the greatest prophet though he did not perform any sign?

John 10:41 Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.”
    Miracles are the works of God and not of man. Note that the Devil too can perform miracles (Mat 4:1-10). So do not judge by signs and wonders alone, for many may be lies or demonic. In the last days, our Lord warned us to stay away from so-called miracle workers, who are false christs and false prophets.

Mat 3:13-14 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
    Though John was a highly respected prophet of God, he humbled himself by recognizing Jesus as greater than he, and that he should be baptized by Jesus.

Mat 3:15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
In real humility, John obeyed Jesus’ suggestion in the presence of all those present.

John 3:26,30-31 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”.... He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.
    Instead of getting jealous, John humbled himself by admitting that he is only a prophet, an earthly servant of God but magnified and glorified Jesus as the Almighty from above. In obedience, he accepted that his ministry was over and soon to be replaced by the ministry of Jesus.

Phi 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Brethren, are we able to humble ourselves by esteeming others better than ourselves just like John the Baptist, the greatest prophet?

The Lord is grieved that the body of Christ is divided because of the pride in the doctrines of denominations and groups. There will only be unity if all are prepared to please Him and do away with their doctrines and humble themselves to His word (the Bible) as the sole authority.