Only A Step

We often sing the invitation song “Only A Step” as encouragement for someone to respond to the gospel call. Only a step- a mere 6 to 12 inches in length. A single stride from the placement of one foot to another. Have we ever stopped to meditate on the thought of “only a step”? Saul was chosen by The LORD to be the first king over Israel and we find Saul during his kingship committing several violations against The LORD. In response the kingship was removed from Saul and David was selected to become the next king over Israel. This did not set well with Saul and knowing that David was going to be king over Jonathan made Saul very bitter against David and so Saul sought David’s life on several occasions. David and Jonathan had a special relationship and David spoke candidly with Jonathan concerning the way that Saul was planning to do harm to David in taking his life. In talking with Jonathan David made the statement in 1 Samuel 20:3 “But truly as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.” (ESV). David realized the dire situation that he was in with regards to Saul seeking his life. Imagine the thought that in your life there is but a step between life and death. Picture a cold winter morning as you step outside and your breath escapes from your mouth in a white vapor and then quickly disappear. James tells us by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that our life is but just a vapor- here and the swiftly gone. Only a step between life and death is facing each one of us. Perhaps it may be an accident in the blink of an eye or perhaps it is a medical condition that comes upon us suddenly. We do not know the time when this step will come upon us but we are told of the certainty that we will all face this and to be ready so that we are not caught unawares. In another realization we are told that the wages (what is earned) of sin is death. Peter tells us that the Evil One, our Adversary, is walking about as a lion to devour us. James also tells us that the conclusion of our desires producing sin is death. There is only a step between our Adversary and us in committing sin. How soon and how quick we take that fateful step in a violation of God’s command and our transgression has now taken place in the presence of our LORD. It happens in a blink of an eye, so quickly before we realize what has taken place, and then we see how the Adversary has taken us in his craftiness. There is only a step between making the wrong decision and thus having the wages of sin being death placed to our account. But on the bright side, there is only a step between us having our transgressions forgiven by the blood of Jesus which was shed for us. There is only a step between reconciliation between us and The LORD. Through obedience we can take that step and receive the hope that Paul spoke of in Colossians 1:5 “because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel”  (NKJV). Only A Step- give it some thought.

- Larry Bumgardner