It Only Takes One

At a worship service the other day, we heard a sermon which reminded us of a familiar poker phrase.  It revolved around this verse....

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. - Jude 3

The pastor said the phrase "once for all" can be understood as being given "one time."

"One time!"  How many times have you heard poker players say that -- especially desperate ones, needing something like running diamonds for a stay-alive flush?  (That happened Sunday evening at the WSOP Main Event Final Table, by the way.)  We presume that means the underdog player wants to defy the odds one time, to stay in the game.

We've heard this verse in Jude explained many different ways.  But we connect it with the next verse....

For certain man whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you.  They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. - Jude 4

Jesus came "one time" in the flesh, about 2,000 years ago.  But oh, what that one time accomplished.

....It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead.... Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. - Acts 4:10, 12

We're saved from the penalty of eternal death for our sins.  But it would be irresponsible for us to respond to that gift of salvation by living in an immoral way.  What sort of thanks does that show to a holy God?

We should add that "one time" is not the only time Jesus plans to appear on the earth....

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. - Hebrews 9:28

Many people say they only have "one time" physically to live.  But the Bible shows we face a resurrection someday to judgment (Revelation 20).  And if you're looking to Jesus and following Him, you can be saved to receive eternal life.  Good things ultimately do come to those who wait.