One Thing--WHAT?

In the movie City Slickers the grisly old cowpoke told Billy Crystal that there was only one thing that mattered in life--and he was right! Unfortunately, he thought everyone had to choose that one thing on his own. But is that what the Bible says?

For lost people that one thing is obviously salvation--without it they have no hope. No other decision matters if you aren't saved. But what about after you're saved? What one thing is the most important thing in your life. I don't mean vague platitudes like "turn your eyes upon Jesus" or "give him your heart". I mean down to earth, practical, day-to-day advice and action that changes you, not just touches you. If you had to choose one thing that influences and determines all the other things in your life (as a believer) what would it be? 

According to King David the one thing every believer needs is renewal of the spirit.

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Paul teaches that the spirit is contained in your mind [as pictured by the Old Testament tabernacle—the holy place (first sanctuary) and the holy of holies (second sanctuary) were inseparably joined. You couldn’t enter the second (holy of holies) without going through the first (holy place)].

Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

The renewed mind is God’s avenue to bring about total transformation.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but BE YE TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

But this doesn’t happen automatically, without any effort on your part. It only occurs as you gain the knowledge of God.

Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

The final result is a new man (on the inside) that has God’s divine nature.

2Pet 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, ³According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: ⁴Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2Cor 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

God’s instrument to give you that knowledge is his word.

Psalm 119:98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. ⁹⁹I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. ¹⁰⁰I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

But the scriptures alone are not enough. It also takes enlightenment by the Holy Ghost.

Tit 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, ⁵Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the HOLY GHOST;