One Thing

I recently did a short study on all the occurrences of the phrase “one thing” in Scripture. With all the busyness in our lives, it’s easy to become distracted or overwhelmed by all the jumbles of details or lists we must keep track of. But, sometimes, simplicity is better. Hence, my idea to study the “one things” in Scripture. Here’s a short summary of my favorite findings…

• Not one of God’s promises has ever failed - “…ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.” (Joshua 23:14)
• There is but one thing we are to desire – “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; 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 inquire in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4)
• One timely question can silence your enemies – “And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?” (Matthew 21:24-25)
• It can take just one thing to distract a good person from truly following Christ – “Then Jesus… said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” (Mark 10:21)
• There is but one needful thing in life – quieting ourselves before Jesus to listen to His word – “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42)
• Sometimes just one simple truth can be faith-defining – “He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:25)
• There is but one strategy for winning life’s race – “…this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)