The Bottom Line

Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. 

Acts 13:38-39 

Paul had a marvelous way of getting to the bottom line. Our text comes from the first recorded message of Paul the Apostle in the New Testament. He delivered this message to the Jews in the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia. The substance of the message preceding our text was a recitation of God’s dealing with Israel and His sending Christ. At one point he began to refer to Christ from Old Testament passages. At the critical moment, Paul uttered the words of our text, which is the clearest articulation of the gospel that we could want. It explains the major issues we have. We need forgiveness of sins. We can never be justified by keeping the law of Moses. If we want to be just with God, what Paul provides is the simplest, most straightforward answer: Christ. This is the gospel. It is the bottom line. In the course of the centuries that have passed this message has not changed. It is exactly the same now as it was when Paul spoke it. It needs no revision or modification. Christ is the foundation of our justification with God and our forgiveness of sins. Trying to live by the law, or even by the Sermon on the Mount will never make us acceptable to God. Christ is the answer.  

Our Glorious Living God, 
We rejoice that Christ is the answer. 
We praise You that He has accomplished 
what we could never do. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning