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The Red Ink

‘the words of Jesus Christ’

Many unknowingly recognized that the expression such as “ The words

of Jesus Christ” in red letter is improper. It is a treacherous thing to use it
unexplained. In fact there are already many books written in the market with it
as a title or at least in some part as subtitles. The worst, it is even found in the
many ‘ bibles’ so called and even in our Authorized Version. Is it according to
a good tradition (2 Ths.2:15, 3:6 ) passed unto us or a perverted one (Col.2:8) ?
Let’s find out.

What we can see in the scripture, and it is in the Old Testament, the Lord
clearly required only these to be in red ( I hope I overlooked none). First, the
ram’s skin Ex.25:5, 26:14, 35:7,23 36:19, 39:34 ,Second, red heifer Num.19:2
and Thirdly the red thing to be applied in door posts, the blood Ex.12:7,12-13.
But today there is no such command to heed not even an avoidance of it (Acts
15:20) because it was included in those nailed to his cross ( Col.2:14).

I think that it is wrong to print out the word of Christ in red ink or in red letter
while the other is in black if from it’s Greek text source it is in black ink ( I
have no exact knowledge of whether there is a text written in red). But, as I
have seen some version ( AV ) in total black while there are some with red ink,
this points to me that there is a difference and only one is true and should
stand. If the Lord wished to give more attention to it He will require His writers
but He never told His holy men who were moved by His Spirit ( 2 Peter 1:21).
Besides, the use of red ink in our Lord’s time during His earthly ministry is not
yet evident. Perhaps, or I may be mistaken, that printing out the word of
God with a red letter edition is a way to entice many people in order to afford
it [Other products in the market is easily purchased if it appears to be colorful
and artistic]. I have seen bibles with different colors and illustrations as
directive of a topic though I forgot what specifically it’s name is. Before, I was
attracted by it’s beauty. But today, to me it appears corrupting the word of
God (2 Co.2:17 ) and a fair show in the flesh ( Gal.6:12a) if in that purpose, and
degrading His word for a fleshly gain by presenting it on how it will be
pleasing to men than how it pleases God. Many publishers not only added unto
the Lord’s instruction but that they did something unauthorized. And many
who were enticed by it’s colorful appearance (such as me in the past) at times
adore it’s beauty superficially instead of it’s content and more than the source,
the author, God. Some placed it to a pedestal and added it as a collector’s item
and even used it as an object of worship. But let’s not make having a red ink a
big deal for now but the effect of it, or as I can say how many people viewed it
nowadays.

“But what is wrong with the red letter when it only emphasized the word of the
Lord” as some might contend. I understand that to some this maybe a minor
thing but it is of great import if we are to heed this scriptures saying “Study to
shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.”(2Tim.2:15). For what maybe is designed to
attract many led to a deception. ( I am not saying that the words of Christ is
deceiving but it becomes so when it is in color red and done unexplained.) For
the “words of Jesus Christ in red” appeals to the reader that indeed only those
in red ink were the Lord’s word which is of more power and more value. But
they forgot that Christ said He has many things to say “ I have yet many things
to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of
truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself;
but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to
come. He shall glorify me : for he shall receive of mine ,and shall shew it unto
you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take
of mine, and shall shew it unto you. ”John 16:12-15 What the Holy Spirit will
say is from the Lord. Even Luke in the book of Acts wrote “The former treatise
have I made,O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, ” Acts
1:1

The problem that can be encountered if the red letters were the only words of
Christ were these; only part of 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 and 2 Corinthians 12:9
in epistles written by Paul can be termed as the words of Christ. The reason
why the importance of the gospel preached by Paul is ignored by many,
wherein we are told that

Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ
according to my gospel.

More so it is believed by many that because in the arrangement of the books,

those written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are viewed as the framework
of our mail today because it contains most of what was uttered by our Lord.
And because in the last book, the book of Revelation , contains others in red
ink which is uttered by our Lord, they also think of it as the final writing for the
church especially that it also mentioned the word “church”. That’s why most of
what many are preaching are messages which are supposed to Israel as a nation
. No wonder we have the blindness of many for not recognizing this “If any
man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the
things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.”1 Cor.14:37

We can remember that before Saul became Paul Christ said these things “…
Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” Acts 9:4c We can still find some in v.5
and in v.6 “…Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou
must do.” Who will tell him (Paul) what he must do? In v.10-16 it is Ananias a
disciple whom the Lord commanded to go to Saul. There are other references
that the Lord talks to Paul ( Acts 18:9-10, 20:35, 22:18,21 23:11.) In fact Paul
received it by revelation from the Lord Rom.16:25, 1 Co. 14:6 , 2 Co.12:1,7,
Gal.1:12,2:2, Eph.3:3. The words in Eph.4:20-21 also states “But ye have not
so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have beentaught by him,
as the truth is in Jesus:” This is an evidence that Christ’s teaching ministry
continue. But such is not the same as what He did before with the twelve
disciples . Paul also mentioned that what he wrote is the word of the Lord .

( 1 Th.1:8) “For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in
Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is
spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.”,

(1 Th. 4:15 “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which
are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which
are asleep.”

1 Tim. 6:3) “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words,
even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according
to godliness;”

(Col.3:16) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching
and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”.

(2Tim. 1:8) “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of ourLord, nor of
me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according
to the power of God;”

(1COR 1:5-6) “That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and
in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:”

So when man only uses the red letter to refer to the ‘word of the Lord’, or when
they are only focused on what was written by Matthew, Mark, Luke & John it
goes to show that the ministry of the Lord is finished or is only until His
resurrection and His ministry is when He only walks in this world. And even if
there’s no use of a red ink, when man referred to the words literally uttered by
the Lord Jesus Christ as his ONLY words, then that mentality is corrupted
already. But thanks be unto God that indeed even if Christ was sitted in the
heavenly at the right hand of the Father (Eph.1:20) He still ministered and
given the revelations to Paul the apostle to the Gentiles to complete his word
( Col.1:25 ) whereby we were taught of the mystery hidden from ages and from
generations ( Col.1: 25-27 ). But even the words of Christ written by Paul has
to be rightly divided considering that not all that he wrote formerly was for all
time.

Maybe we cannot do something about the printing of the word of God

( unless we own a printing press ) but we can discontinue buying and
distributing a version (AV) with a red letter in it. But if we can’t do so we have
to stop the red ink mentality to be the only words of Christ. Also we can
instruct others of its deception. We can also explain to them that some of those
marked red are part of the Lord’s earthly ministry which is limited to the Jews
and that Christ still teaches and revealed His words to Paul .

What we can do in relation to red color is of warning. As the red wine is

deceptive ( Prv.23:31) so is this ‘red letter’ applied to the word of our
Lord. ( Not only the red letter is deceptive but also the bold font in some
part, the cross-references, The first two word of every chapter which is in all
capitalized letter, book signs and subtitles, notes and the commentaries within
the scriptures that we have.) These we may found in our bible yet unscriptural.
But what is still amazing is that these detraction and addition of man (poison)
cannot hinder God to save those who believe and to teach us the truth of the
body of Christ. May the Lord , Who is the revealer of secrets (Dan.2:47) by His
Holy Spirit ( Jn. 14:26,16:13 & 1 Co.2:10 ) continually teaches in our hearts
the sound words (2 Tim.1:13 ) and that He may keep us not ignorant of the
enemy’s devices (2 Co.2:11) which is such as we are discussing here. Let’s be
aware and beware, even from this that I am writing and from others, unless
seeing it first from His word if it’s not found wanting. For deception is
anywhere and there are those who were deceived because they just believed
what was heard or presented without regarding the word of the Lord. “And be
not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of
God.”Rom.12:2

2Ti 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

( It is to no offense if in your publication, web and any writings you print out
the word of God in color for emphasis.That is not the very point of this article.)

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