John the Baptist, speaking about Jesus, said: “I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them!” – John 3:29-32

Rebekah and I use a variety of materials for our morning devotions, including Bible reading, books of meditations, and the prayers of historic leaders over the years.

One book we are currently following is called, “2000 Years of Prayer.” Friday morning we read a translation of the letter the Emperor Constantine wrote to summon church leaders to the Council of Nicea (325 CE).

Wow! Talk about a piece of history that illustrates how we have been plagued by the same issues for so long! The document is interesting, it is illuminating, it is embarrassing, it is damning, it is prescient.

First, a little background; then, the letter:

Constantine the Great, whose mother was a Christian, consolidated his power at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge (312 CE). From then on he was tolerant of Christianity and hoped that the worship of One God would unite his empire. When he discovered that Christians do not always agree he called the bishops together for the Council of Nicea.

What’s interesting to is how Constantine looks in from the outside and sees clearly how consistently Christianity shoots itself in the foot!

First, here are a few key quotes:

• “Many of you have become so inflamed with the spirit of enmity and hatred that you have forgotten your own salvation…”
• “Your Savior teaches you to practice unity and concord; but you have become masters of disunity and discord.”
• “In this way you bring disgrace on yourselves and on your most holy religion…”

Constantine’s “invitation” to the 325 council at Nicea

I continue to receive numerous letters from Christian leaders in every region. It is clear to me that many of you have become so inflamed with the spirit of enmity and hatred that you have forgotten your own salvation. Local synods are convened to resolve disagreements and disputes, but in some cases fail to reach any conclusion; in other cases the agreements are ignored and flouted. Your Savior teaches you to practice unity and concord; but you have become masters of disunity and discord. In this way you bring disgrace on yourselves and on your most holy religion. I therefore believe that under God I have a duty to impose unity on the church, using the imperial power which God has vested in me to put an end to all disputes. For this purpose I am convening a synod to which all Christian leaders will come. I will preside at this synod, listening to the beliefs and opinions of anyone who wishes to speak. I will weigh up what I have heard, and issue my judgment. I accept this task with reluctance; I have not sought it, but your misbehavior has forced it upon me. May the divine power of the great God keep you all in good health, both in spirit and in body, for many years. – Constantine the Great (325 CE)

The result – the Nicean Creed – is an extremely helpful document, especially how it affirms balance and unity within the Trinity. The creed lays out foundational Christian ideas that are clear and concise.

But Constantine’s motivation was to use God – and people’s faith – to unite and control his empire. “Using” faith to consolidate personal power is a trap many leaders still fall into today. But Christ turns the equation around, calling each one of us to be directed and used by God.

At this challenging moment in our nation’s history, let’s not make that critical mistake. Constantine may have had some keen insights about the church, but his bottom line was to use faith as a tool to advance his own power.

Instead, our proper relationship to Jesus must be that of John the Baptist: “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less…” – DEREK