The One Thing Needed

[KenH]

But one thing is needful. Luke 10:42.

What is the ONE THING NEEDFUL? It is plain our Saviour means, the soul keeping close company with himself. This Mary did. She sat at his feet and heard his word. Every thing else is but cumbering work, compared with this. For this one thing comprises all the holiness, happiness, and heavenly-mindedness of the soul. O if we have the presence of Jesus, guilty tears vanish—dejecting doubts are scattered—legal terrors are silenced—anxious cares subside—strong temptations lose their force—Satan is resisted—afflictions sweetened—turbulent passions calmed—raging corruptions subdued—pride is brought down—humility is excited—peace with God is enjoyed—holiness is promoted—the fear of death conquered—the terrors of hell chased away—the prospect of glory, in the full fruition of Jesus, is aspired after, and longed for—earth loses its charms—heaven is in the heart—to be absent from the body and present with the Lord, becomes the one desire of the soul. Say, O Christian, what ONE THING else can produce so many, such blessed effects, as close communion with our Saviour?

- excerpt from William Mason's A Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God, Volume 2, October 20

 

[Van]

Before God establishes fallen sinners with "close communion" with Christ, one thing is needful. Our love and devotion to Christ.
What does God require of us? To believe in the One He sent.
Soil number 1 was so hardened by sin, they had lost their initial ability to grasp the gospel.
Soil number 2 was enamored with Christ, but was unwilling to fully commit, thus having no deep root within themselves.
Soil number 3 accepted Christ but was unwilling to discard the treasures and concerns of the world, thus failing to make Christ the overriding priority of their lives.