Dictionary of all Scriptures & Myths

CHRIST MUST INCREASE, BUT JOHN MUST DECREASE

Symbolic of the spiritual nature transcending the moral nature.

"Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. This my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease." - JOHN iii. 28, 30.

The soul's moralised qualities know in themselves that the moral nature (John) is not the source of Truth, but is a preparation for the influx of spiritual energy from above. The moral nature which is devoted to Truth rejoices in the influx of Love and Wisdom. The Christ must increase or grow to maturity in the soul, while the moral nature must decrease, that is, become absorbed into the Christ nature so that it cannot be distinguished from it. Love of the Truth and Right transcends Duty and Obedience; also, Love and Wisdom include Justice and Morals.

"Spiritual life consists mainly in the discovery and exercise of our highest faculties; and this means joy, joy ever increasing in depth and intensity with every enlargement of our consciousness of power. And I want to tell you that considerations of right and wrong, of meritoriousness and wickedness, are only incidental to this after all, and will ultimately be transcended altogether... Morality appears to be an intermediate stage between the un-self conscious automatism of the lower creation and the full self-knowledge and exuberant spontaneity of the saints in heaven. The lowest forms of life in God's universe know nothing of struggle between right and wrong; neither do the highest." - R. J. CAMPBELL, Serm., The Non-moral Aspects of Religion.

"No one is ever released from law. Those who think the law is abolished have not the Love of Christ formed in them. The law is not abolished, it is fulfilled in Love. He that loveth doeth the will. No one ever transcends righteousness, for the entire work of God toward salvation has been making for the fruits of righteousness. (Henry Nicholas)." - R. M. JONES, Mystical Religion, p. 436.

See Also

BAPTISM
HIGHER AND LOWER SELVES
JOHN THE BAPTIST
ZACHARIAS