The ‘red letter’ Bible emphasizes the words of Jesus by making them red. But sometimes we can learn just as much by which words he didn’t say. I would like to submit to you the ‘Blue Letter Version’ of things Jesus never said.
He never said:
V. 1) You’re too far gone to be saved.
V. 2) I’m so disappointed in you.
V. 3) This wouldn’t be happening if you were a better Christian.
V. 4) It’s okay not to love certain people.
V. 5) Everyone should be just like you.
V. 6) Its all up to you.
V. 7) You don’t have to forgive someone who has hurt you.
V. 8) You missed my will for your life.
V. 9) I’ve given up on you.
V. 10) This is a cross you must bear alone.
When we think through these we should realize that each ‘verse’ is wrong. Jesus never said any of these; I am certain he wouldn’t even think these things about us. We can only surmise that what he did declare is real, and that his love for us is boundless and limitless. People like you, and like me, are loved in spite of our sins. His love doesn’t fit the conventional wisdom.
“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”
John 6:37
There are other verses to consider. These affirm his love to each of us.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”
1 John 3:1
The Blue Letter Version exists only in my mind. Yet sometimes I catch myself thinking things from our list. But in a way, each of the above is logical. But each are also wrong.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.”
Isaiah 55:8
I encourage you to listen to the ‘drum roll’ of grace that is beating from the heart of Jesus. He loves you with a supernatural love that can not be silenced. Accept his love (or not) and he will love you the same. “For God so loved the world” (John 3:16). Securely attach yourself to this love.
One morning in January 1984 I set myself on fire. I was in my cabin up on the ridge and I was trying to build a fire. Alaska can be a cold place. I had also started a coffee pot and because it was so cold I opened up the oven door a couple of inches to get some heat.
Broken Believers 