The title of this article is the title of a book by Danish philosopher and theologian, Soren Kierkegaard.  In it, he calls us to will one thing without competition from anything else.  To allow anything in life to compete with the willing of one thing is to be double-minded.  The Epistle of James mentions double-mindedness, a term found nowhere else in the Scriptures except Psalm 119.  James 4: 8 states, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”  (James 4: 8 ESV)

What is the one thing?  It is to will the Good, or God.  One’s life is to center on devotion to God and living according to His will.  Our vocation, our families, our interests, and our recreation must take a back seat to willing the one thing. Everyday activities have their place.  They are not of no account; but, they must not in any way pre-empt the willing of one thing.  On this basis, God will judge each individual in the end.

What Kierkegaard says seems impossible to accomplish.  Yet, we must endeavor to do God’s will as our top priority.  It is not according to works righteousness that we do this. We are not justified by what we do; we are justified by faith in Christ who saves us from our sins. The gift of faith leads to faithfulness to the will of God.

We are to will one thing through all suffering; we are not to relent.  We are called to a difficult task; but, we are called nonetheless.

How does Kierkegaard relate to our task as apologists and witnesses?  We remain faithful to the task through all suffering and persecution.  We don’t retreat from what we are called to do.  As Christians, we are not in a popularity contest.  Discipleship transcends all.  We enter the ranks of the battle as determined soldiers of the cross.

 

Michael G. Tavella

September 23, 2024