Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | October 20, 2011

“only one thing is necessary”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. 
 
“17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk.  And so I direct in all the churches.  18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised?  He is not to become uncircumcised.  Has anyone been called in uncircumcision?  He is not to be circumcised.  19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.  20 Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.
                                               
21 Were you called while a slave?  Do not worry about it;  but if you are able also to become free, rather do that.  22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman;  likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave.  23 You were bought with a price;  do not become slaves of men.  24 Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.”  1 Corinthians 7:17-24.  
                                 
———————————
                                             

Today’s Scripture reminds us of the lesson that we learned from the story of Martha and Mary. 

“Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village;  and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.  She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.  But Martha was distracted with all her preparations;  and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone?  Then tell her to help me.”  But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;  but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:38-42.

We can worry and be bothered about so many things.  We can be like the seed which fell among the thorns in the Parable of the Sower.  “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.”  Luke 8:14.  

We should be like Mary who “has chosen the good part”, “seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word”.  This is the “only one thing is necessary” equivalent of “what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God” in verse 19 of today’s Scripture.  

“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.  But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter;  and his praise is not from men, but from God.”  Romans 2:28-29. 

The “only one thing is necessary” is ultimately our Lord and Savior and Jesus Christ.  “And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has the life;  he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”  1 John 5:11-12. 

“Do not worry about it;  but if you are able also to become free, rather do that.”  In other words, we should not worry about our condition.  We can and should improve our condition so long as we don’t let the concerns of our condition cause us to worry or be bothered to the extent that these concerns of our condition choke us off from devotion to Christ. 

Sometimes, we may be able to keep our devotion to Christ and improve our condition.  In such situation, we should then improve our condition.    

Other times, we can not keep our devotion to Christ and improve our condition.  In such situation, it is better that we remain in our condition even if that condition is that we are a slave.  “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?’  Matthew 16:26

Posted in Uncategorized

«
»

Categories