Twenty-first century Western Civilization seems to be awash with a fascination for numbers. Ideologies and political movements are no longer judged through thoughtful reason and dialogue. Rather their gravitas is determined by how many people accept or ascribe to a particular thought. Even the most outrageous positions are accepted as viable, so long as enough people agree. Such cultural norms are ultimately a prescription for disaster.
Even among the Christian community there seems to be a fascination with numbers. The “megachurch” phenomenon (1000+ members) seems to be the aim of every denomination and Christian organizations worldwide push for bigger readership or viewership. Church attendance numbers remain one of the primary ways believers evaluate the effectiveness of their group or ministry. Yet, the clear evidence of scripture is that numbers simply don’t matter when it comes to spiritual “success”. Spiritual success can come through few or through many. The objective should never be numerical but rather obedience of the faith.
The Bible rarely, if ever, places a high value on the number of people who are in step with the things of God. Many years ago, I did a teaching at my home church titled, “An Army of One”. In fact, I suspect that someone from the Army may have even heard it and built an ad campaign around the idea. The message was simply that the evidence of scripture shows that God plus one, any “one”, is enough to bring about his will in the earth. He started the nation of Israel through the faith of one man, Abraham. He defeated the Philistine armies with one shepherd boy, David. But the greatest event was the salvation of the world through His one and only son, Jesus!
A brief overview of the book of Acts clearly illustrates that Jesus’ influence in the world often moves from the few to the many and not the other way round. In Acts 2, twelve apostles received the gift of holy spirit and by days end about three thousand were saved. Then in chapter 3 Peter and James (just two) ministered to a lame man (just one) which then led to almost five thousand coming to belief in Jesus. In chapter 5 the shadow of Peter (apparently even without him speaking) was enough to bring multitudes into Jerusalem seeking the Lord’s healing gift. But the most significant one-man story must be when Jesus witnessed to Saul of Tarsus.
The scriptures tell us in Corinthians that Jesus was seen by above 500 witnesses in his resurrected body. So, he has the option to show himself alive from the dead to multitudes if he chooses. Yet, his plan for reaching the Gentile nations was to go visit one man, Saul. The impact of this single event in the life of one man literally changed the course of history. For through Paul’s ministry the word of God spread throughout Asia minor and much of the Roman Empire.
Considering these illustrations from the Bible, we should ask the obvious question, “Why?” Why would God choose to accomplish such magnificent feats through the lives of a few, even one? Perhaps He is attempting to teach us that He can and will accomplish His will on the earth even if there is only one who will listen and obey. Multitudes may hear and believe. Thousands may get saved and rejoice. But it often begins with one or two. Rarely does God show His power and might through miraculous events among the many. The question you and I should be asking is not, “Where are the crowds?” but rather “Will you work through me Lord?”
Can I be one who will lovingly obey you with honor and dignity so that through me, you can bring your mighty arm to bear in this world? May we each surrender daily to walking with the Lord Jesus in obedience, caring not whether we are heard by many or by few. So that through us God may make Himself known and save possibly… even one!
Your Faithful Brother,
