Gems for your journey

By Veronica Martin Thomas (M.Div’07)

 “And you will be gathered one by one, O people of Israel” (Isaiah 27:12b). The emphatic phrase in our opening text is “one by one.” It reveals the importance of the individual. God does not deal with people in masses only. In creation God who could have formed a million human beings formed one man. A prayerful study of God’s communion with his people reveals that he communed with single individuals.

“And you will be gathered one by one, O people of Israel.” This great and fundamental biblical truth stands out in the life and teaching of our lord Jesus:

  • He uttered one of the greatest truths in the bible to one man, Nicodemus (John 3:1-12)
  • He emphasized the finding of one lost sheep (Luke 15:1-6); the lost and finding of one coin (Luke 15:8-9)
  • The angels in heaven rejoiced over one sinner who repented (Luke 15:10)
  • The bible makes the responsibilities of each believer abundantly clear: Our duty to God and people is expressed in the pronoun “you” (Exodus 20:3-17)
  • We are held accountable to God, not collectively, but as individuals; Saul attempted to blame the people for his transgressions, but that did not work (1 Samuel 15:20-21)

The gospel of the salvation of the individual is paramount in the bible. Jesus Christ did not die for society, but for persons — individuals. He called the disciples one by one. Jesus, knowing human nature, dealt with of the 12 disciples according to their disposition and he does the same thing with you and me today.

The conviction and confession of sin is personal (Psalm 32:1-9). The change of human nature is personal, not collective. Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). Be reminded to “hear the Savior pleading, oh, listen to His call! The blessed invitation, it reaches unto all: ‘Oh, come, and I will heal you; oh, come, I’ll make you free.’ Come to Jesus one and all” (J. R. Jeffrey). “And you will be gathered one by one, O people of Israel.” This truth should make us conscious of the fact that salvation is personal and that our responsibility to God and people is personal as well (John 21:20-22). Let us respond to the word of God. “Amen. So be it!“