“One Thing – ”

From the book: By the Still Waters by Vance Havner

To the rich young ruler Jesus said, “One thing thou lackest.” Money, position, morality, idealism, these were not enough. There is a goodness among moderns that is dangerous because so deceptive. It is the goodness of the young ruler. It is fine moral character, sincere and well-meaning, lit up with a desire to find life eternal. It frequently joins church, teaches a class, prays in public, is honest and aspiring. But it lacks one thing, and because of that tragic lack, its possessor goes away grieved when the real cost of discipleship is counted. We have a serious problem today in splendid men and women of sterling qualities who will not utterly renounce everything to follow Jesus in a life of faith. Their very virtues become hindrances because they count on them and ask, “What good thing shall I do?” instead of forsaking their own poor righteousness, as did Paul his legal blamelessness, and counting only on the merits of Christ. To be sure, Jesus asked this young man to renounce his money, not his goodness; but the request showed up what sort of goodness he had. Promising qualities avail nothing if we are unwilling to “hate father and mother,” to forsake anything, however dear, that hinders the life of surrender and trust.

“But one thing is needful,” said Jesus to the worried Martha. It is not a sit-down-and-do-nothing preachment. There must be practical Marthas in the kitchen. Notice the words, “Martha was cumbered” – “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things.” He was not reprimanding her for working; he was gently reproving her for worrying. “But one thing is needful – restful communion with me.” We can commune with him in the kitchen, but most of us are only cumbered, careful and anxious. Even in our practical Christian activities we become vexed and harassed. Our poor services will pass away, but contemplative communion with him is that good part which shall not be taken away. Our sole business is to live in constant, abiding fellowship with Christ. If we become more interested in what we are doing for Christ than in what he is doing for us, we have reversed things and we shall end up as did Martha, cumbered instead of communing. But one thing is needful for the believer, to stay spiritually at his feet, hearing his word. Our hearts can sit at his feet while our hands work in the kitchen.

“This one thing I do,” said Paul. He had found, long before, that there was one thing he lacked, and he tells us about it in this same chapter. He enumerates his good points before he knew Christ. It reminds us of the rich young ruler. He was blameless according to law-righteousness. Then he learned that there was one thing needful, “the righteousness which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Now that he has felt his lack and received the one thing needful, there is one more “one thing,” and that is something to do. Nothing we can do will help until we have moved through these first two stages; then, there will be plenty to do. There is something to forget: “those things which are behind.” There is something to reach toward: “those things which are before.” There is something to press toward: “the mark,” the goal. There is something to work for: “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Let these be the milestones of your spiritual experience: One thing I lack; one thing is needful; one thing I do.