I have been thinking about the number one. It comes first;
it is the first-born, first fruits and before all other numbers. It is also
about priority or exclusiveness. Number one in the rankings is pretty important
in this world. We look up to number one. But in God’s economy there is also one
thing to know and understand.
For the King and Psalmist David there was “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell
in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the
Lord and to seek him in his temple” (Psalm 27:4).
For him the “one
thing” was the Lord. He also wrote in Psalm 62:11 that, “One thing God has
spoken, two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving.”
Jesus’s parable of the rich young ruler addressed this issue.
“Jesus
looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,”
He said. ‘“Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have
treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”’ For this man wealth was the one thing he could
not give up for now. It was too hard to give up earthly things to find heaven
and salvation for eternity. Similarly, when
Jesus was meeting with His dear friends Mary and Martha, He responded to
Martha’s asking for help with preparations saying, ‘“but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better,
and it will not be taken away from her.”’
He is telling her that Mary has chosen the one thing that cannot
be taken or lasts forever, sitting at Jesus’s feet and hearing and trusting in His
word.
Why does
it seem that seeking God in Christ Jesus is the “one thing” in life that
matters most? It is not politically correct in today’s world to identify one
thing or one way, as it seems today’s culture says to tolerate and even receive
and believe all beliefs as equal. But sadly and importantly, not all things are
true. Pontius Pilot asked, “What is truth?” (John 18:38).
He found nothing wrong with Jesus and what He had done. Unfortunately he
did not have the courage to claim His innocence to the religious leaders and
release Jesus. But God had greater plans for the salvation of the world through
His Son. You see Jesus would need to die for our sins and be resurrected again
to His rightful place in heaven to rule and reign.
“Salvation is found
in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by
which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). This is the powerful
and saving truth, that Jesus is the “one name” through whom we may find
forgiveness of sins and salvation. Jesus claimed Himself to be the one true God
and the only way. “Jesus answered (Thomas), ‘“I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me”’
(John 14:6). Jesus is the creator of the universe and He is the
“living word” of the Bible that existed before time. “In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). God in Jesus Christ is the
Word of life, the healing word and saving word.
The time
is short as Jesus is returning soon to rule and reign on earth again; but first
the wrath of God or the tribulation will occur. It will be too late to choose
the one decision needed then. We must choose Jesus as Savior and Lord now to be
saved, and soon it will be too late. What better time than Christ's incarnation or Christmas to choose Him.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts.