The Unique Christ, The Only Way to the One Living and True God

The sons of Korah tell us that God is our refuge and strength, and an abundant help to us in trouble (Ps. 46:1). Likewise, Solomon tells us that the name of the Lord is a strong tower into which the righteous run to find safety (Pr. 18:10). The Apostle Paul takes these conceptions further when he declares how our inseparable union to God in Christ makes believers to be more than conquerors in all things (Rom. 8:35-39). If these declarations of Scripture are true, why do so many Christians fail to find the safety and strength they claim that they seek in the Lord?

One major reason why so many who profess trust in Christ for salvation experience exposure to devastating and defeating blasts is because they fail vitally to run into the name of the Lord for their safety. By this I mean that it is a common malady that we rest contented with vague and sentimental notions of our God. We may sing of His majesty and speak of His powerful victory for us in Christ, but if we are not growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ, then it becomes with the Saviour as it did with day old manna for Israel in the wilderness – that which had been earlier the bread of life to us becomes spoiled. If our faith is not regularly exercised, then the power of God appears weak, remote, irrelevant to us, and so it will be to us, for we are protected by the power of God through faith (1 Pet. 1:5).

A vibrant and victorious faith that overcomes the world (1 Jn. 5:4) is fixed upon Christ as the one thing necessary in all situations, for all needs, and at all stages of our lives. We can grow so accustomed to and charmed by the incessant hawking of advertisers in our day, that we come to believe that there are many things necessary in our lives, and that there are numerous and varied things that secure us. We do well to remember that faith has only one object, and it is not our natural endowments or attainments, it is not our worldly position or possessions, it is only the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Let us remind ourselves of some of the many times and ways the Word of God teaches us that Christ is the one thing necessary (Lk. 10:41,42). Scripture declares that because God so loved the world, He gave one thing, His Son, to save those who believe in Him (Jn. 3:16). Christ is the one thing necessary for our salvation (Acts 4:12). He is the one source for our having peace that passes understanding (Jn. 14:27; Phil 4:7), and the one thing necessary for our contentment and competence in all things (Phil. 4:11 – 13). Christ is the one thing sought, found, and taught by prophets and apostles (1 Pet. 1:10-12). He is the only one who has destroyed the works of the devil (1 Jn. 3:8). Only He bore our sin and gave us His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21). Christ is the only one in whom we have received every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Eph. 1:3). He is the one in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:2,3), and with whom our lives are hidden in God (Col. 3:3). Christ is the one true lover of our souls, whose love is immeasurable and never failing (Eph. 3:19). Christ is the only one who never leaves or forsakes us (Heb. 13:5). Only He is the light leading us out of darkness (Jn. 8:12). Christ is the one way out of death into life (Jn. 14:6); the one pathfinder leading His people from this cursed world to the glory of heaven (Jn. 17:24). Furthermore, our Saviour is much more besides what is here listed.

When our faith vitally lays hold of this unique Christ, we rightly see Him as the one necessity of life. We will not run into vague notions about Christ to be safe, but these solid truths pertaining to our blessed Redeemer form for us a fortress that no enemy can enter, and thus we race into Him to be secure.

We need not fear, as some do, that if we recognise and rely upon Christ as the one thing necessary, He will be the only thing we have. Even if He were the only thing we had, we would be infinitely richer than had we the whole world without Him. However, if He is our only love, we are directed and enabled by Him to love all men; if He is our only Helper, we find all things being made to work together for our good (Rom. 8:28). If we seek Him first, we shall be given all good things with Him (Mt. 6:33).

Let us then focus our faith on this infinitely considerable and gloriously unique Christ. Then, when serious, adult troubles arise, we will not look upon Him with an immature faith that sees Him as fit only to soothe a child. Nor shall we resort to this world’s trinkets for our security, finding only bitter frustration instead, but we shall hope in our strong and inconceivably substantial Saviour, and never be disappointed (1 Pet. 2:6).

William Harrell

Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Norfolk, Virginia

williamharrell@cox.net