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One Is Never Enough

               He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. (Deuteronomy 8:3)

 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:31-33)

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; (II Peter 1:4-6)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (I Corinthians 13:4-8a)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control… (Galatians 5:22-23)

          Scripture tells us that we were made in the image of God. Satan’s temptation to Adam and Eve - and to the rest of us on a daily basis – was to be “like the Most High.” We’re even told that we are supposed to imitate Christ and that His image is to be formed in us. But when someone tells you to be like God – in what way do you think about being like Him? I suspect that one attribute or another likely comes to mind. I further suspect that love or power is likely to be the attribute in question.

          But as we look in Scripture, we find that one thing is not enough. We can’t live by bread alone. We’re not to seek only His kingdom or His righteousness along, but both His kingdom and His righteousness with such needs as food, drink, and clothing also acknowledged. If we are to love, we face the fifteen components of love in I Corinthians. Even the gift of the Spirit is comprised of nine facets in Galatians. In II Peter, we’re commanded to add five things to add to our faith.         

          Returning to the idea of a military recruit. They are issued clothing and equipment, but they are not handed these things and told to go have fun. They are taught how these items are to be cared for, maintained, worn, and used. And being taught isn’t enough. They are inspected, required to practice, and tested. And it’s not one test and they’re done; they have to maintain their proficiency. Can you imagine a soldier who thinks it sufficient to have nicely spit-shined boots, but never bothers to practice shooting or clean his gun?

          Sigh, why can’t it be simple? But as we consider the armor of God, we face the same challenge. It is not enough to wear the belt, or the breastplate, or the helmet, or the boots, or the shield, or the sword. One simply won’t do. The reason is simple even if the situation is not. If we wear the belt, we have nothing with which to fight. If we have the Word of God memorized but have no faith, what good is it? 

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