In 1 Sam 20:3, David told Jonathan, “there is but a step between me and death”.  Saul was relentless in his attempts to kill David.  And David knew that there was but a step between him and death as long as Saul was determined to kill him. David always had to take a step toward safety to keep from being killed. 

Likewise, there is but a step for you in three principal areas of your life.  And it is essential that you make each step in the right direction.  There is but a step:

Toward Salvation.  It is important that you take a step toward Jesus Christ, ultimately trusting him to save you by believing on him.  The Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 had been taking good steps toward salvation.  He became a Jewish proselyte, he had gone to Jerusalem to worship, he was reading the scripture, he invited Philip to help him understand Is 53, and then he believed on Jesus Christ.  

Cornelius, in Acts 10, had been taking good steps toward salvation.  He feared God, he was just, he prayed often, he gave alms, and he was of a good report.  And then God told him to send for Peter, which he did.  When he and his kinsmen heard the gospel, there was but a step toward salvation and they took it.  They believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.  

You have taken a good step by coming to church today.  Now that you’re hearing the gospel, there is but a step for you to be saved.  Take that step.  Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ today.

Toward Sanctification.  Sanctification is the process of becoming holy after you are saved.  It is the work of the Holy Spirit in you life as you follow him.  Rom 8:1, walk after the Spirit, not after the flesh.  Rom 8:4, “walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”.  Gal 5:16-17, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh”.  Gal 5:25, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit”.

You will be continually tempted to walk in the flesh.  Prov 4:14-15 says, “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.  Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away”.  At every junction, always take a step toward sanctification in the Spirit and away from the path of the wicked.

Toward Surrender.  Surrender your will to God’s will.  This is a process whereby you continually follow the Lord, relinquishing your will and doing his.  Eventually, you will do whatever he asks, even entering the ministry full time.

The disciples are a good example.  First, Peter came with Andrew to see the Lord.  Then the Lord commanded them to follow him and they left their nets.  Later, after catching a multitude of fish, they left all to follow him.  Then the Lord told them to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow him.  And they did this until Jesus was arrested.  At this point, Peter followed afar off, leaving too much space between him and Jesus.  That’s when he denied the Lord.  

However, after Jesus’ resurrection, Peter assured the Lord of his love for him and followed him faithfully till his own death.  Peter is the one who taught us, in his epistle, that it is the will of God when we suffer with Christ.

Conclusion: Will you take the step toward salvation today and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ?  Will you take a step toward sanctification today and turn away from that sin about which the Lord has been dealing with you?  Will you take the step toward surrender and follow the Lord to his will instead of yours?