The Bottom Line

One of the things that has helped me maneuver through life is a question that I ask myself continually—“What’s the bottom line?” Knowing the answer to this question has helped me sort through and work through the details of life more effectively and efficiently. This question, “What’s the bottom line,” has also grounded me in my faith. It has helped me build bridges with those who profess to be Christians, and it has also helped to tear down barriers with those who are “outside” the Christian Faith.

I think that knowing the bottom line, I mean really knowing the bottom line, will help eliminate the divisions that exist amongst Christians and the world, Christians and other Christians, and Christians and God.

For the most part, I think that all Christians agree that salvation is by “grace through faith,” however, how we translate this is where we get into trouble. When I listen carefully to what we say, grace often means works. In other words, often we equate being saved with our actions or our responses. Reading the Bible, going to church, confession, prayer, conduct, repentance, and being baptized are all good and necessary things, but none of these save us. Come to think of it, not even our faith saves us.

As I interpret Scripture, only God can save and only Jesus has the authority to save. In other words, what comes out of Jesus’ mouth will determine my eternal destiny. This is the bottom line. This is how I read all of Scripture, including passages like Matthew 7:15-23 and Matthew 25:31-46. The “bottom line” levels the playing field, helps keep arrogance at bay, and sends a welcoming invitation to humility.

There are two questions that I have to ask myself in response to the bottom line. These questions are, “Do I believe this?” and “Can I trust Him?” These answers can be tricky because I have to continually remind myself that my answer (or response) does not really determine my future. These questions can only help me recognize in what, or in whom I am putting my trust and confidence.

In the end, if the song I am singing is not, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ Name…” I had better start changing my tune because the bottom line is that the ground I am standing on is sinking sand.