You’ll still hear the first verse of the 60s song, “One”, on several commercials today—“One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do”. The composer Harry Nilsson was inspired after calling someone and getting a busy signal. He sat alone and listened to the, “beep, beep, beep, beep…” and wrote the lyrics. Being by oneself for an extended period can make anyone feel forlorn. Elijah cried out I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away (1 Kings 19:10). Paul wrote, At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me (2Ti 4:16). Yet, he gives encouragement for believers in the next verse. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me (2Ti 4:17). Frequently hearing the commercials over the past several weeks made me curious about the number ‘one’ in the Bible. We often overlook common words or simple subjects like this and never consider if it has any significant meaning in scripture.
The Bible uses the word ‘one’ 2806 times including 1009 times in the NT. The basic meaning always refers to a single unit or individual. However, the way the writer grammatically applies it can contribute to a deeper insight into the subject with which he connected it. One can symbolize unity as marriage the two will become one flesh (Mk 10:8 NIV). The 120 believers of the first church were all with one mind (Act 1:14) and when the congregation grew they continued with one mind in the temple (2:46). We associate the cardinal number one with a negative connotation as the above verses about Elijah and Paul. Or look at it as a sign of weakness like the servant that received only one talent because of his lesser ability. Paul provides an excellent example of another use with one in contrast to many. So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men . . . For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous (Rom 5:18, 19). Note the emphasis it adds to the fact it was one transgression, not two, three, or many. It was one man’s [Adam] disobedience and not everyone up to Abraham. Then one man’s (not several), i.e. Jesus’, obedience brought righteous to the many. `
There are further examples of its usage but because of limited space, the remaining will focus on the importance and the power of one. Having one talent, one ability, one gift, one resource, etc. can leave us thinking we are useless; “I am just one—what can just one do?” First, we must realize God sees you as important. The parable of the ninety-nine sheep illustrated this. “What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? v13 “If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray (Mat 18:12, 13).
Second, you are important because God designed you for a purpose. Whether He gave you one ability or multiple, only you can effectively accomplish that function/s. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them (Eph 2:10). Note the good works He has for you, He prepared in advance. Churches are full of believers that have only one talent but fail to use it because they have allowed themselves to feel inferior when they observe those around them with two, four, five, etc. talents. Or like the servant in the parable with one talent who feared failure.
One of my all-time favorite stories is the little boy who gave up his lunch of five loaves and two fishes. Five thousand men along with their wives and children had assembled to hear Jesus. When the evening neared, these families were hungry. Jesus instructed his disciples to feed them. Philip responded they didn’t have ample finances for such a huge group. Andrew with apprehension added, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people” (Jn 6:9)? But in this crowd of 15,000 to 20,000 people needing food was one unnamed young boy with one meager meal and Jesus demonstrated how He can use one person with limited resources. He took the loaves, thanked God for this one lunch, and gave it to the disciples to distribute. They all ate, including the little boy, until they were satisfied and still 12 baskets of leftovers remained.
This is merely one example of the importance and power of one believer using what they have. Note these: one little slave girl told here master, a powerful military leader in Syria, who had leprosy that the prophet Elisha of Israel could heal him (2 Kings 5:1-3). Think about the woman, Esther who saved the nation of Israel (Esther 4:14), or one man, Noah, who saved the world from annihilation (Heb 11:7).
If you are without God, then one is the loneliness number. However, if the Lord stands by your side, you can do all things. In Joshua’s farewell address he reminded the people, One of your men puts to flight a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, just as He promised you (Jos 23:10).
Sustaining Word for the Week: You are important whether you have many gifts or just one. Give Him what you have and He will take it, bless it, for you to use in power.