John 3:30
He must increase, but I must decrease.
One beautiful Fall morning as I was walking down the driveway talking with the Lord, I looked down, and there was a stunning maple leaf that had begun changing colors. Holy Spirit said, “So it is with you, Dove. As you are transformed into the Son’s image, you become the beauty that is Him.”
When a leaf dies, brilliant colors of yellow, orange, red and purple become visible. Even though the colors were in there already, the green (made by chlorophyll) covered them. The chlorophyll begins to decrease in the leaf as the daylight shortens, revealing the other colors.
So it is with us! As we die to our self, old mindsets, habits and all that go with the unregenerated person, Jesus increases and we become transformed into His image!
The Word shows us this transformation in many different scriptures:
Romans 12:2 And do not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove (manifest) what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Ephesians 4:23, 24 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created, according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
2Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Galatians 1:16 …to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles…
The transformation takes place as you spend time with the Lord and in the Word, allowing it to speak into you. As you allow Holy Spirit, Teacher and revealer of the mystery (Colossians 1:26-27) to show you and birth the truth in your heart and mind. The more time you spend with Him, getting to know Him, the more you will begin to see as he sees.
For example, I used to be addicted to pornography, but once I chose (This is important: choose Him over——.) to spend time with Him and in the Word, my vision changed and what was once appealing to me became vulgar and would turn my stomach. Now, many years later, I feel compassion for those stuck in that lifestyle and bondage.
Holy Spirit showed me that it wasn’t about the sin, because nothing will ever separate me from the Father’s love, but I wasn’t walking in the victory and freedom that my Jesus died to give me. I was bound by my choices. I already had the freedom, but I wasn’t walking in it.
As we participate with Holy Spirit, allowing Him to teach us, He will begin to reveal Christ in us the hope of glory.
Here are more scriptures on the revealing:
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as he is.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me: and the life which i now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.
Now, back to the leaf: the brilliant colors of yellow, orange , red, and purple are Jesus/Christ in us. We are the green (chlorophyll) and as we die, He is revealed so that while we are still ourselves, the world sees Him!
Precious Lord, help me to decrease that You may increase.
