Introduction

Isolation of the scriptures is a very dangerous habit as one uses a verse to mean one thing when, in context of the passage, it means something completely different. Then there are others who will take one verse of scripture and ride it like a hobby horse. They get a lot of movement but go nowhere fast. Some use it as if their whole existence depended on it.

Matthew 7:1

A great example of this is Matthew 7:1, in which Jesus says, “Judge not, that you be not judged.”

This verse is used by those who don’t want to be told by others how to live their lives. Rather than take the advice to heart, they’ll simply quote this verse as a way of saying, ‘this conversation is over’. However, if you look at the entire passage in context (verse 1-5), you will see that it’s about people who have problems of their own trying to make judgements of others.

Jesus is simply saying, ‘take care of your problem first before you point out another’s. He is not forbidding people to judge others as he states, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” (John 7:24)

Of course, what people fail to realize is that when you tell someone, ‘Don’t judge me’, you are actually judging them by saying they don’t have that right. People just make judgments about one another all the time. Just make sure that it is a righteous judgment.

Ephesians 2:8

Another example of the One-verse Charlie is Ephesians 2:8. This is one the few verses that gets ridden to death by someone who doesn’t believe baptism is essential for salvation.

Let’s look at what the verse says, For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Now the argument, of course, is that since baptism isn’t mentioned in this verse it is, therefore, not essential for salvation.

I will agree with the fact that it doesn’t mention baptism. There’s no doubt about that at all. However, let’s see what else it does not mention.

1. There’s no mention of God’s love in this verse, yet isn’t that important for salvation? It is! Look at these verses, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) And again, But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

• There’s no mention of God’s mercy in this verse, yet isn’t that important to salvation? It is! Paul writes, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5)

• What about repentance of sin? There’s no mention of that in Ephesians 2:8, yet isn’t it an important part of salvation? It is! Jesus, himself, said, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish… I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3, 5)

I could go on, but I’m sure you get the point. You’ll also notice that it doesn’t say ‘faith alone’ which is what a lot of those are trying to promote. Yet, it’s by grace and faith as it mentioned here, but those aren’t the only aspects either.

Conclusion

What a lot of people are missing out on is that there is not one single verse, by itself, that tells us everything we need to know, or do, to obtain salvation. The one verse you need to know, above all else, is, The sum of thy word is truth; And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever. (Psalms 119:160 ASV).

If you’re going to discuss salvation, or any other subject for that matter, you need to take in all of God’s Word that talks about it. You can’t simply pick and choose your favorite verse, or verses, you need to take in all of His word. Why have all of the bible, if you limit yourself to just one verse?