One Thing

The Bible uses the phrase, ‘One Thing’, four times. What is interesting is that this was mentioned by three persons at three different times, one of them separated by hundreds of years. God who is the beginning and the end is always consistent. As the author of the Bible, surely He could not mean four different one things? If God says, “one thing”, then there must be just one thing. What is it then? 

David first writes, “One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.” (Psa. 27:4). 

The Lord Jesus in one of his visits to Bethany says to Lazarus’ sister, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41,42) 

At another time the Lord squarely addresses a rich ruler who asked how he could obtain eternal life. Though this man had kept the commandments of God from his youth, the Lord says to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess, and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Luke 18:22) 

A few decades later when the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians he spoke of the “one thing” he did. He had just finished telling the Church of how he counted the privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as one of surpassing value and how he considered everything else he had attained as rubbish. He wrote, “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Php. 3:13,14) 

What is common in the one thing that we’ve read in the four different passages above? The ‘one thing’ that God’s Word is asking us to have is—a single-minded, undistracted devotion to God (1Cor. 7:35). This one thing revolves around the first and foremost commandment, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Mt. 22:37) 

How do we arrive at this conclusion?—you may well ask. David and Mary, both desired the presence of God—to listen to Him, fellowship with Him and enjoy being with Him. Such a desire can stem only from a deep love for God. A love that says, "You are the one and only thing I need." 

The Apostle Paul desired to know Him—to have a greater revelation and insight of the unfathomable God he worshiped. It is important at this point to note how Jesus links ‘knowing Him’ to ‘loving Him’. The Lord Jesus promises that He will disclose Himself to us when we love Him and keep His commandments (Jn. 14:21). The principle is simple: to know God, we must love and obey Him. 

The one thing that the Lord asked the rich, young ruler to do was possible only if one loved the one Master, the Lord Jesus Himself, and clung to Him while despising the other master, mammon (Mt. 6:24). 

So we see that in all the above instances, "a single-minded, whole-hearted, sincere devotion to God" is the key, operative factor that the Bible speaks of as the ‘one thing’ that we must seek after. 

In the world we have many distractions, many of them very legitimate—our careers, our aspirations, our wish-list. Most of our energy, our time and often a lot of our life is consumed with chasing after these things. Like Martha we are too busy hurrying here and there, doing this and that. We love God—we pray, read the Bible and go to church—but our relationship with the Master is often devoid of that “first-love” (Rev. 2:4). Oh that we can get to that first-love that Christ spoke of; and yearn for Him, earnestly desire Him—not just His hand but more so His face.

As Christ’s redeemed ones, we have need of only ‘one thing’. We need to place God on the decision-making seat of our life; we need to cling to Him, depend on Him and say, “No matter what Lord, I want to submit to and walk in Thy perfect will. If in Thy faultless wisdom Thou dost lead me to let go of all that I cherish and possess, I want to honour Thee with obedience of faith that exhibits to the great cloud of witnesses that Christ is enough for me. Like David and Mary I want to constantly enjoy and grow in that close fellowship with the Holy Spirit (2Cor. 13:14). Like Paul, I ask that I may increasingly gain insight and understanding of Thy fathomless being. Disclose Thy beautiful Self to me, O Lord (Jn. 14:21). Increasingly, let me behold Thy beauty (2Cor. 3:18; 4:6).” 

More than anything else today, the Church needs to arise and lay hold of that for which Christ has laid hold of us. We need to with sincerity of devotion live each moment of each day with the single-minded ambition to please the Lord (2Cor. 5:9). We need to resolutely decide before God that whatever we do, even in mundane things like eating and drinking, we will glorify Him (1Cor. 10:31). The early Church had such devotion. Not only did no one claim that anything that belonged to him was his own (Acts 4:32), but they first gave themselves to love the Lord in completely surrender (2Cor. 8:5). 

One thing is needed Church, just one thing. I believe God will not only satisfy such longing hearts that pursue this, but will glorify His name in them.

The Kingdom of Heaven is not a Democracy

The kingdom of God is not a democracy. It does not work on the principle of majority or consensus. These are ideas of the world. 

God is alone the all wise, perfect and sovereign King. In His kingdom there is submission. He has instituted the principle of submission not because He wants to lord over us or be a dictator. Rather, because of His loving kindness toward us, He eagerly desires to guide the humble and submissive ones to His perfect and good plans. For did not God Himself say, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts?" (Isa. 55:9)

To the authority which God in His sovereignty institutes whether to parents, the pastor, our boss or our leaders in government, it is His desire that we submit and honor them. (1Pet. 2:13-15) We must never speak ill of them, even if they are doing evil. Instead with reverence we must lift them before God for His working. This is the principle of God's word and obedience to it pleases God. Be assured, it will go well with you.  (Eph. 6:3)

In a world where we are so used to having our vote, expressing our opinions, fighting for our rights, etc. we use the ways of the world to deal with issues. Oh that as redeemed ones of the Lord, we would increasingly submit and depend on God who rules with all power and authority. Oh if we were to only adopt His ways and not the ways of the world. The Bible promises us that because we put our trust in Him, we will not be put to shame.  (Rom. 10:11)

Humble or submit yourself under the mighty hand of God therefore and He will lift you up at the proper time. (1Pet. 5:6)

The Poor in Spirit

The Lord Jesus began His Sermon on the Mount by saying, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

What is it to be poor in spirit? The opposite of poor is rich. Sinful man has this inherent nature to think of himself as rich. He considers himself as wise and important in his own surroundings and even if he is not, he gives the impression that he is. He is offended when he is slighted and protects fiercely his image and reputation when he is confronted or threatened.

"You say, 'I am rich and have become wealthy and have need of nothing,' " the risen Christ said in Revelation 3:17. We make it our life's ambition to amass all that is impressionable in the world. When we have done so, we deem ourselves successful. When we fail we are discouraged and are seen as a failure.

But the Lord Jesus continues, "You do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked." Strong words to believers, mind you, not unbelievers. We need to allow God to constantly renew our mind and show us our real selves that we may come to Him in poverty and be filled with what He fills us with in His mercy. This, so that our "riches" do not come from ourselves but from what He fills us with. (Rev. 3:18) It is then that we increasingly have less and less expectations from others and are not offended if we 'feel' insulted or think that we are taken for granted. "He must increase, but I must decrease," our hearts would then echo the testimony of John the Baptist. (Jn. 3:30)

To be sure, as A.W. Tozer wrote in his book, The Pursuit of God, "the meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God's estimate of his own life. He knows he is weak and helpless as God has declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is in the sight of God of more importance than angels. In himself, nothing; in God, everything."

Blessed is such a man. The Bible calls him poor in spirit. To such a one belongs the kingdom of heaven.

The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

The Good News from God is remarkably wonderful, so wonderful indeed that the evil one will do all he can to keep us from believing in it. The Word of God tells us that the wisdom of God has purposed things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and which has not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him (1Cor. 2:9). Things so glorious that angels long to look (1Pet. 1:12).

Now, in the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, God has through the Spirit revealed these precious things to us that we might know the things freely given to us by God (1Cor. 2: 10,12).

The Good News of God in its very basic sense tells us that God has, through our Lord Jesus Christ, shown us mercy and has opened the way to being reconciled to Him resulting in salvation and eternal life. However, as we delve deeper, we would notice two aspects - the legal aspect and the relationship aspect of the Gospel. The truths of both these aspects are so precious that a close look at each truth would only compel us to fall prostrate before the Lord Jesus and thank Him for His boundless love and His marvelous work.

The legal aspect of the Gospel involves Repentance, Forgiveness of sins, Cleansing by the blood of the Lord Jesus, Redemption, Justification by faith, Being sealed with the Holy Spirit, Promise of eternal life, etc. This is the work of the cross or the work of Christ.

The relationship aspect involves what the Word of God calls 'the ministry of the Holy Spirit' (2Cor. 3:8). In this aspect we experience the Person of Christ.

The two aspects are inseparable and together constitute the purpose of God for us. And while the legal is a mandatory precursor to the relationship, more often than not we find ourselves rejoicing in the legal aspects of the marvelous work of Christ while failing to enjoy the Person Himself.

Could this be the reason why the Author to the Hebrews exhorted the saints to leave the elementary teaching about the Christ and press on to maturity (Heb. 5:11-6:2) or Paul to the Corinthian Church that he speaks a wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom not of this age nor of the rulers of this age but a wisdom taught by the Spirit (1Cor. 2:6-16)?

While reflecting on the Word of God we would notice that the relationship aspect as brought about by the ministry of the Holy Spirit is at least two-fold.

1. Enjoying God in His Presence

One of the glorious privileges we have through our Lord Jesus Christ is the precious opportunity to constantly remain in the Presence of God. In the New Covenant we can come into that place beyond the veil and remain there. Our problem is that we have not learned to value this privilege. We have not, like David, made it the one thing we desire (Ps. 27:4). 

The Bible tells us that in God's Presence there is fullness of joy or exceeding joy (Ps. 16:11). Let us with longing hearts draw constantly to Him and He will meet us. At that time there will be sweet fellowship with the Spirit and a joy inexpressible. My cry to the Lord is that I dwell in His Presence not occasionally but constantly.

2. Growing in the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ

2Corinthians 4:6 tells us that -

For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

God desires to shine that Light in our hearts so that increasingly with unveiled face we can behold the glory of the Lord (2Cor. 3:18). Increasingly the Spirit could reveal to us the Person of Jesus. Increasingly we would grow in the knowledge of Christ, not just in His work but in Him as a Person. "That I might know Him," was Paul's earnest longing. His heart was illumined bright enough for him to say - 

I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (Php. 3:8).

We have not, like Paul, made it the one thing we do (Php. 3:13). But the Spirit of truth wants to show us Jesus.

"He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you." (Jn. 16:14) was what the Lord Jesus said of the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

The Good News of the Lord is remarkably wonderful. God has purposed for us things that are indescribable; things which are immensely precious. It is like treasure in earthen vessels, but precious treasure indeed (2Cor. 4:7).

Lord help us that we not just know of this precious treasure but lay hold of that for which also we were laid hold of by Christ Jesus (Php. 3:12).

God's Purpose in Creating us

God never does anything without a purpose. He had a purpose while creating heaven and earth. He had and still has a purpose in creating us. His purpose is eternal. God chose us in Christ Jesus before even creating the world and His purpose continues eternally, beyond our life on earth.

Since then we are here with a purpose, do we know that purpose? Are we living according to that purpose? It is very important to know the purpose of our life from God's perspective so that we do not live aimlessly.

Before we identify some aspects of the purpose of God, it would help to remind ourselves of certain truths.

• God made heaven and earth and all things in it not only to testify of His greatness but also so that man could enjoy all that is made. God provided for man before He made man. (Gen. 1:28-30)

• Man is made in the image of God. We are created according to His likeness. God is Spirit and we who are made in His image are spirit too. (Gen. 1:26; Jn. 4:24)
  
• The spirit of man has the unique ability to fellowship with God - where the Almighty can talk with man and reveal Himself to man. The spirit of man can talk with God; relate with God, know God and enjoy His presence. (Jn. 17:3)
  
• It is the spirit of a person that essentially makes up the person. The physical flesh and blood of an individual merely makes up his outer covering. The earthly outer covering will be changed to a heavenly covering but our spirit will continue for eternity. Hence it is the spirit of man that essentially tells you who the man is - his nature, his character, his attitude. These emanate from His spirit. Physical features like colour of skin, hair or eyes; our beauty or lack of it has no consequence. (2Cor. 4:16-5:9)
  
• The spirit of man continues forever. It cannot be destroyed. After its period on earth is over, it will continue - either in eternal life in the presence of God or in eternal damnation and suffering in hell. (Mt. 13:41-43)
  
• From an eternal perspective, our life span on earth is a mere breath - at best a 100 or so years (Psalm 39:5). If illustrated as a timeline, it could look like this:

 

 

• God has purposed beforehand a plan for each of us. This plan was designed before we were even born. The plan is essentially God's purpose for us while we are on earth and it is God's desire that we walk in it. For the plan is good and perfect. It has no mistake or flaw. (Eph. 2:10)

Having reminded ourselves of these truths, we can now try and understand God's purpose for us. I believe from the above truths it would be safe to say that God's purpose and plan for us goes beyond just this breath-span life period we have here on earth. In His eternal purpose which He planned beforehand He desires that we:

• live our lives seeking His face constantly with the intent of discovering His will.
• depend on Him, lean on and trust Him to help us walk in that will.
• love Him with all our heart and walk in His will.
• enjoy His presence and fellowship with Him.
• know Him as He increasingly makes Himself known to us.

Does God's plan for us also include earthly matters such as career, occupation, marriage, house, etc.? Of course, it does. If God provides for sparrows, how much more for us whom He died for. Every minute detail of our lives is planned for and fashioned by God. It is flawless and it is the best. There can be no better one.

If we seek His face, depend on Him, submit in obedience to His will, we can be certain that He will guide us to every phase of our life. We can rest in the assurance that His grace will provide for our every need and our lives which we have placed in His hand and control will remain in His best always. This teaching is in agreement with the scripture that says, "Seek first His kingdom and His Righteousness and all these things will be added to you." (Mt. 6:33)

One other truth to bring in here is that while He made all things in heaven and on earth - the stars, the planet, the sea, the seasons - He made all things subject to His command. They have no choice. But when He made us, He gave to us a will to choose. In all things we have a choice - to seek and discover God's will and walk in it or live by our will and desires.

Too often, even as Christians, we make our work and other earthly responsibilities so much of a focus that we miss out on the real purpose of our existence. We get so involved and tire ourselves out with all that is around us that we fail to achieve the true objective of our calling.

Though we've messed up what God has purposed for us, in His gracious mercy, through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, He gives us hope and fresh opportunities to start anew.

Let us constantly remind ourselves that God has made us with the purpose that He and we could fellowship with each other; we should walk in obedience to a will and plan that is perfect and marvelous; and that we need to depend on Him as God who prepares for us before we have the need. Let us also remind ourselves that what we do with our spirit while in this earthly body is an opportunity that lasts for only a breath-span of a life and we must not waste it. Besides, our striving to live after God's will and purpose, honours God. It brings Him glory. He is pleased with us.

Oh that through His grace and leading, we would be faithful to walk in His purposes for they are true and honourable and right. They are pure, lovely and of good repute. They are excellent and worthy of praise.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!