Infomercials and “TV Only” advertisements are famous – no, make that infamous – for the line, “Wait! There’s More!” Their script goes something like this, “This product is amazing, You cannot live with out it. This one bottle will save you hundred. You would spend hundreds of dollars on the products this one bottle replaces? But you can get his for only three installments of $19.98!” —- “But wait, there is more! Order now and we will send you a second bottle for free! All you pay is separate shipping and handling.”

Their marketing and sales methods seem suspicious at best. I imagine that Satan uses a similar scheme. He tried with Jesus, “Bow to me, and I will give you what you want (you don’t have to die), and there is more (All he kingdoms of the earth will be yours.” Satan uses it with us today. “This drink, drug, etc. will taste great and will lessen your levels of stress, but wait there is more! You will be like everyone else, all the rich and famous do this. You will have friends, money, an exciting life, freedom to do what you want, and a life that is not stuffy or prudish.” He is selling something that is not what he makes it seem.

Different from the TV products is a voice from my childhood. I loved his stories. I loved hearing his voice. I wish I could sound more like him and have an ability similar to his to keep people tuned in. The voice is that of Paul Harvey. He would tell you about an event, maybe a current event, maybe historical in nature. It would end, Harvey would wrap the story up in a neat package saying, “And now you know the rest of the story!”

In Christianity, we have been consistent in our condemnation. We are quick to point out the evils in the world and in others. And if backed into a corner, we might even admit our own sinfulness. We are quick to remind people that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23) and the “wages of sin is death.” (Rom 6:23a). Sadly, and sinfully, we often forget the rest of the story.

Jesus says in John 3:17, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” The Apostle Paul’s statement does not stop at Romans 3:23, the rest of the story continues in verse 24, “. . . all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” Romans 6:23 does not end in death “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

And now you know the rest of the story!

There is the rest of the story. In Christ, we have hope. By God’s grace can all be saved through the redemption found in Christ. The question is, “Are you in Christ?”

Gal 3:26-27 “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” I ask again, are you in Christ?

– Scott

Bonus about baseball from Paul Harvey – https://youtu.be/lDCfnhD9IxY