The Power of One

For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel…
II Chronicles 28:19

King Ahaz was a wretched man. He was responsible for bringing a nation into idolatry and wickedness. He could have easily turned his heart toward God and shown the nation the power of God. He could have led the nation in casting down idols and images thus brining to their attention the wonderful Savior. Did he do it? No! He decided to let his wicked wife dictate what would be. He let her cold heart and pagan gods drag a nation into destruction. The choice of one man led an entire nation into destruction.

“Nothing happens in a vacuum”. I once had a college professor who said this all the time. He made reference to this statement almost every class period. What does it mean? It means that no action is void of consequences. It further means that no one person’s actions affect just that one person. You see, my decisions will affect someone else whether I want to admit it or not. You disagree? My friend, let me offer a rebuttal to your opinion. Ask the mother whose husband is a drunk if his decisions affect her. Ask the son whose parents abandoned him if their decision affected him. Ask the country if the king’s decisions affect them. Ask the daughter who would love to meet her mother, but cannot because of a drunken driver. You are not alone in your world. Your decisions have far reaching affects. What are you doing today that would leave detrimental consequences on those you love? Today is the day to change your ways while there is time.

Have you not yet been persuaded about one man’s actions? Do you need further convincing? My friend, let your mind race to the Garden of Eden. Find the lone man in the garden. Watch as he takes the fruit from his wife. Behold him as he draws it towards his lips. Now watch as his lone act of disobedience plunges the entire human race into depravity. Oh the effects of one man’s action. That one story has forever changed the eternal destiny of millions.

Are you still unconvinced of the far-reaching effects of a singular action? When I think of the actions of one man affecting others, my mind is immediately drawn to the Blessed Son of God. Just as the sin of Adam reached into the chasms of time; so did the blessed Christ’s actions reach through the ages. Oh the depth of His love for you! Oh the grace that brought His love down to man! What love and compassion found in one man’s actions! What great effects it has had on my life!

Your actions today will hurt or benefit those surrounding you. What will you chose to do? Will you continue in that action that you know is wrong? Will you continue to mire through the sin of life? Or will you chose to follow the model of Jesus Christ and decide to let holiness be the line that you measure your life against?