(John 3:22-36) ...Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized— 24 for John had not yet been thrown into prison.
25 Therefore there arose a discussion on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification. 26 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.” 27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
31 “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
How often are we jealous of another Christian or church's ministry? Instead we should be rejoicing in that. As a Church body, we should be working together and encouraging each other. We each need to be doing - what we need to be doing. It's not a "numbers game" where we try to "steal away" Christians from other churches - we should be serving in such a way that we help bring unbelievers into the family of God. If a church is not experiencing conversion growth - we need to look at ourselves.
It's all about developing sincere and close relationships with God and people. Notice the first thing Jesus did when beginning His ministry - He started "a small group" of twelve, and closely mentored 3 disciples. Not that there won't be issues. Because none of us are perfect, wherever we are - there will be issues. The question is - how are we working through these? And after doing a self-check and doing what we should, if there are Christians who stray, or people who still do not become believers... But do not be discouraged! Remember, even one of Jesus' own disciples did not become a believer and betrayed Jesus!
Jesus never forced anyone to do something or believe something. We all have been given a free will - we all have a choice to make. And then even as Christians - we are not robots - every step we take comes with decisions...
(Hebrews 10:19-25) Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
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