© 11 Colin Melbourne
God Says It Was John the Baptist
Christ Jesus designated John the Baptist as the greatest man born of woman. Mtt. 11:11a KJV;
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist…
And John the Baptist said of Jesus Christ, Jn. 3:30 KJV;
He must increase, but I must decrease.
What was John talking about?
The pinnacle of human flesh decided he was utter failure in The Presence of God: And he was dead right.
John testified that he was so unworthy, he could not even perform a servant’s task of removing Christ’s footwear. Jn. 1:27 KJV;
He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
He didn’t say this to appear humble, he was speaking the absolute truth.
When we come to understand that, of ourselves, we are not even fit to remove John’s sandals, let alone Christ’s, we begin to glimpse our own unworthiness before God.
That is why Jesus taught you must be born again. Jn. 3:3,7 KJV;
Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Physical Birth: Spiritual Birth
It is one thing to be born of woman, born of the flesh: It is altogether a different birth to be born of the Spirit.
The Spirit gives life, eternal life, Divine life.
The New Birth is God’s Spirit re-creating your spirit: You instantly become a new creation, a new spirit, a new person: Born of God.
Before, you were flesh-ruled, flesh-controlled; you did what your sinful nature led you to do. Rom. 8:5-8 KJV.
Like each of us you lived under the law of sin and death, a sinner from birth, doomed to exist and die separated from God, inevitably Hell-bound.
That is why Jesus emphasised in Jn. 6:63 KJV;
The flesh profiteth nothing:
But now, in Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Rom. 8:2.
Your sinful nature has been crucified with Christ, it no longer controls and rules you. Gal. 2:20, Eph. 2:1-10, Rom. Ch. 8.
Controlled by The Spirit
The greatest flesh-man, John the Baptist, wasn’t able to follow Christ, he knew he was undone in God’s Presence.
Neither can you follow Christ in the flesh, the sinful nature is always at odds with God.
Only by becoming a new creature, a new creation, and following the gentle leading of the Spirit of God in our hearts can anyone walk with Jesus.
Only by being continually filled with God’s Spirit, can we know God intimately, and be effective witnesses of Him on Earth.
That is why John said, Jn. 3:30 KJV;
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Sinner! Repent and believe on Christ now, He will wash you clean of every sin, put His Spirit in your heart, and give you His Eternal Life.
Even the Least in The Kingdom
Saints! Wake up to what Christ has done for you: He has brought you into the kingdom of God.
You have what John the Baptist could only dream of. Mtt. 11:11 KJV;
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist; notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Jesus taught that the new birth makes us greater than John the Baptist.
Let’s live up to what He expects of us today.
Your sinful nature has no power to control you: Jesus set you free. So stay in step with His Spirit in your heart.
Keep the flesh under the control of His Spirit and you will walk in His Presence all day long.
You will become less: He will become greater
People will begin to sense the love, gentleness, and anointing, of the Lamb of God who; loved you, saved you, and who still delights to wash your feet, if you will let Him.
England’s greatest evangelist operated all the Gifts of the Spirit as he ministered. Few preachers have approached the level of anointing Smith attained. He knew his business, and His business was God’s Business. Let him unfold to you the working of the Gifts of the Spirit. Smith Wigglesworth On Spiritual Gifts.
© 11 Colin Melbourne