John 3:27

Checking his disciple’s complaint in regards to Jesus’ following surpassing that of his own, the Baptist speaks straight to the sovereignty of God. Unmoved in the face of the world’s fickle opinions, there was not a tint of jealousy, selfish ambition or vain conceit seen in his words. Humility shines forth from a rightful understanding of God’s sovereignty.

“Different employments are according to the direction of divine Providence, different endowments according to the distribution of the divine grace. We should not envy those who have a larger share of gifts than we have, or move in a larger sphere of usefulness. John reminds his disciples that Jesus would not have thus excelled him unless he had received it from heaven, and, if God gave him the Spirit without limit, shall they grudge at it? We should not be discontent, though we may be inferior to others in gifts and usefulness, and be eclipsed by their excellencies. John was ready to confess that it was God who gave him the place he had in the love and esteem of the people; and, if now his place declined, God’s will be done! When he has fulfilled his ministry, he can contentedly see it go out of date.” Matthew Henry

The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12 that whatever gift God bestows is to be fleshed out sincerely – always motivated by love - to serve and edify the body. Our gifts are given to us but not for us to be used through us for the furtherance of God’s kingdom, the building up of His saints and to bring God much glory. The love of God expressed through human beings encourages and increases others faith.

5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 9 Love must be sincere. Romans 12:4-9 (NIV)

“Being changed and sweetly breathed upon by the Spirit of God, the will desires and acts not from compulsion, but responsively.” Martin Luther

Paul commends the church of the Thessalonians on the proper fleshing out of their acts of service as they served enthusiastically because they loved sincerely:

3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 1 Thess 1:3-7 (NIV)

In our verse for today John is clear - God is sovereign over the affairs of men. We find in Daniel the following words spoken by Nebuchadnezzar - a pagan king no less – who took a trip from grazing at the kings table to grazing in the grass and back again! We would all do well to take heed to his truthful words:

34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?" 36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. Dan 4:34-37 (NIV)

Daniel had already warned King Nebuchadnezzar through an interpretation of a dream yet the king had not taken heed of his words:

24 "This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes. Dan 4:24-25 (NIV)

We must remember that just as the gifts given to us are not our own, neither are our ministries – they are God’s and He will do with them as He pleases:

1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. Prov 21:1 (NIV)

30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. 31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD. Prov 21:30-31 (NIV)