LAWTON CHURCH OF GOD, LAWTON, OKLAHOMA

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61 ONE THING

One thing thou lackest. Mark 10:21 .

One thing is needful. Luke 10:42 .

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after. Psalm 27:4.

One thing I know. John 9:25 .

Michelangelo had never been so great a painter if his love of art had not become so enthusiastic that he frequently did not take off his garments to sleep for a whole week. It was his devotion to “one thing” that made him world-famed. It has been said that Mr. Moody had as his motto: “Consecrate and then concentrate,” which meant the recognition of the same principle. Said Mr. Spurgeon, the great London preacher: “A man must have one pursuit, and consecrate all his powers to one effort, if he would excel or rise to eminence among his fellows.”

1. ONE THING THOU LACKEST

These words were spoken by our Lord to a young man who made his boast that he kept all the law, and applies to every man in his unrenewed state. This young ruler was a moral man, and so far as we know his character was unimpeachable, but he nevertheless lacked saving faith in Jesus Christ. Self-righteousness will not avail, for we read, “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Men may boast of morality, good works, and many commendable traits and qualities, but without Christ as a personal Savior enthroned within, the essential thing is ever lacking, and the soul lost. “Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates.” 2 Corinthians 13:5 .

2. ONE THING IS NEEDFUL

These words were spoken to Martha, a true-hearted disciple. She had received Jesus, and was serving him by providing for His entertainment. Still there was “one thing needful.” She has not sufficient grace to keep her from being “cumbered,” “careful” and “troubled about many things.” In other words, she was not saved from stewing, fretting and worrying when things were not altogether to her liking.

How many Christians today may be said to be Martha-fied in that they have this inward unrest. In saying to Mary she had “chosen that good part,” he was not speaking of good in opposition to bad; but of two good ways of pleasing and serving the Lord, Mary had chosen the better. Both were true-hearted disciples, but the one was absorbed in the higher, the other in the lower of two ways of honoring their Lord. Jesus has a deeper interest in our own relation and attitude toward Him than in our “much serving.” While the world and a formal church places great premium on doing, Jesus emphasizes the being as of first importance. Martha needed the “second blessing” to deliver her from carnality, the root of all undue anxiety, and fretting and impatience. “Much serving” so engrossed her she missed her Lord’s teaching. To become absorbed with work—though it be religious work—as not to find time to wait at His feet, is to fall of “that good part which shall not be taken away.”

3. ONE THING TO SEEK AFTER

The lesson I would impress from these words is the importance of definite seeking. Praying in a halfhearted, indefinite way will never bring any blessing. A sinner might pray for pardon in an indefinite manner for forty years, but would never receive pardon. Finally he becomes desperate and definitely sets about settling this “one thing,” and soon obtains pardon. Exactly the same is true of a believer seeking sanctification. It requires earnest seeking and definite seeking of the “one thing” to find either pardon or cleansing. You cannot seek God and at the same time seek the emoluments of men.

4. ONE THING I KNOW

This was the testimony of the blind man to whom Jesus had restored his sight. He might not be able to explain the science or philosophy of his experience, but he positively knew “one thing,” that whereas he had been blind he could now see. So we may know when our sins are pardoned, because “the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” And in like manner we know when we are sanctified. “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified; whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us.” (Hebrews 10:14–15.) Thank God for a “know-so” salvation.