Who do you think of when you think of clever one liners? Maybe you think of a comedian like Rodney Dangerfield: "When I was a kid my parents moved a lot, but I always found them." Maybe you think of a politician: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" (JFK). What about politician zingers like "John Kerry, why the long face?"--Sara Palin. In the 1730s, Ben Franklin filled his Poor Richard's Almanack full of aphorisms like "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise," and "A small leak will sink a great ship." Perhaps you think of Solomon and the writers of The Book of Proverbs. I have recently come to appreciate the one-liners of Paul. Although I am no fan of taking verses out of context, Paul's epistles are full of terse exhortations and declarations that will preach standing alone:

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe."

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

"God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

"For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace."

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

"The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."

"In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

"For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

"So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to the others."

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

"Love does not harm its neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

"For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone."

"But the man who loves God is known to God."

"For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man."

"God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

"So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith."

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will  fulfill the law of Christ."

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

"For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight."

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power."

"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of  Christ Jesus.'

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.'

"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath, but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

"Do not put out the spirit's fire.'

"Do not treat prophesies with contempt."

"Test everything. Hold on to the good."

"Avoid every kind of evil."

"The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it."

"But the Lord is faithful and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one."

"For even when we were with you we gave you this rule:'If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

"And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right."

"But godliness with contentment is great gain."

"For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it."

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline."

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to men."

I'm sure this list is not all-inclusive, but I fear I defeat my point by going on and on. God's message does not always take a lot of words to do what it was sent to do. Sometimes a one liner is enough.

Lord, help me to be effective, as was Paul, in the delivery of Your message to those You send to me today, and help me to realize that in a little time, much can be accomplished. Make me a master of the one liner. Amen