“He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John 3:30
There is a period in a man of God’s life in which he is rejected. During this period of alienation, many important spiritual traits will be birthed in him.
A personal relationship with God is one of the most important things that you will learn when people reject you. Every true minister derives his strength from the Lord directly.
Many will come in that day and say, “I cast out demons in your name and I did great works in your name.” But the Lord will say, “I never knew you.” This goes to say that every minister must be very particular about his relationship with the Lord.
The rejection by man is intended to make you develop humility. Humility is the highest mantle a minister can wear. The more humble a minister, the higher his standing before the Lord.
One of the common deceptions in the church is that the larger your church, the higher your standing before the Lord. That is not the case. Jesus made it clear that the greatest pastor will be the most humble and childlike amongst us (Matthew 18:3).
John the Baptist’s humility was evident. He made it clear that he was not worthy to unlace the shoes of Jesus. He deferred to the Lord and stated that Jesus must increase that he would decrease.
How many pastors today want others to increase whilst they decrease?
The humility of Jesus was evident.
He humbled himself and became obedient even to the death of the cross.
Matthew 15:1-6