A number of people consider pure Christianity is reflected only in the sayings of Jesus.  As a consequence of this misconception of New Testament Christianity many give little or no consideration to anything other than the actual words of Jesus. Because of this overemphasis on the words of Christ, publishers have given us "Red Letter" editions of the Bible.

If the words of Jesus are important enough to be printed in red, should we not, as one student suggested, print the words of God the Father in purple?  In this hierarchy of importance, certainly God's words are more important than those of his son.  Furthermore, many place more importance on the words of the twelve apostles than they do on Paul.  

The truth is that the entire New Testament reflects the will of our Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus the Christ.  The New Testament is not a buffet or cafeteria where we can pick and chose those things we like - and ignore the things we might dislike (like broccoli).  As Paul expressed it in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

However, let us turn to our Red Letter Bible and see what Jesus says on the matter.  In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 - 7), Jesus stated in 7:21, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."  This establishes the fact that we must do what God says, if Jesus is our Lord.  Jesus echos this in Matthew 12:50, when He states, "whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."

After sending the seventy out on the limited commission, Jesus pointed out, in Luke 10:22 "All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son wills to reveal him."  The Lord revealed to His apostles, in John 14:26, that He would send them the Comforter in the form of the Holy Spirit, and that the Comforter would:

1. Teach them all things.

2. Bring to all things to their remembrance - whatsoever He had told them.

In the same discussion with the apostles, two chapters later (John 16:13-16), Jesus points out:

1. That the Spirit of Truth (i.e., the Comforter or Holy Spirit) would guide them into all truth.

2. That He will show them things to come.

In summary, the Father revealed His will to the Son, Jesus then revealed this same will to the apostles and prophets of the first century.  They in turn revealed that same will in the New Testament. In conclusion, the words of Jesus in the Red Letter editions are no more important and those of other inspired writers for they all repeat the words of God.  2 Peter 1:20-21

Dale I. Royal Elk City OK