Be joyful always. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV)

Here’s three cheers for the one-liner. A toast to brevity. A salute to the simple sentence. I believe in cutting the fat but chewing the fact. Being concise and clear. Using thoughts that snap and lines that skip. Striking oil, then calling it quits.

Jesus knew how to hit the target every time. He reduced all His teachings to one command (cf. John 15:12). He summarized the law in two points (cf. Matthew 22:37-40). His best-known parable can be read in just over a minute (cf. Luke 15:11-32). He silenced challengers with one comment (cf. John 8:7). He taught us how to be saved in one sentence (cf. John 3:3). His greatest sermon can be read in eight minutes (cf. Matthew 5-7). And He summarized prayer in four phrases (cf. Matthew 6:9-13). [cf. Max Lucado. When God Whispers Your Name].

Oh the joy of keeping it brief. Here are some great one-liners I’ve encountered over the years:

God forgets the past – imitate Him.

You don’t need Visa for access to God.

Give God what’s right – not what’s left.

One with God is a majority.

Forbidden fruits create many jams.

Suffering from truth decay – brush up on your Bible.

Faith steps in when pride steps out.

Exercise daily – walk with God.

A clean conscience makes a soft pillow.

Wise men still seek Him.

Where God guides He provides.

Christ is life – the rest is detail.

Sin has a penalty but Christ is the remedy.

Never judge a day by its weather.

If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.

Little is much when God is in it.

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

No God ­no peace; Know God – know peace.

Death is a T-junction, not a dead end.

God blesses what He possesses.

And the final inestimable one-liner from Jesus, “I am the way and the truth and the life” John 14:6.