There is a blogger who has a penchant for adding the phrase, “Just saying!” to everything he writes. While I thought I understood what he was implying, I decided to further investigate what is the contemporary meaning of this commonly used phrase.
The Urban Dictionary defines this phrase as follows:
A phrase used to indicate that we refuse to defend a claim we’ve made—in other words, that we refuse to offer reasons that what we’ve said is true
There is an obvious implication of what I just said, but I formally disavow that implication, although I actually believe it.
This phrase is an attempt to soften the sting of the speaker or writer’s rhetoric and shield them from potential retribution. It would be as if someone told me to my face that I was an idiot and narrow minded for my religious views but then added the phrase, “But what do I know?” One cannot hide behind this trite phrase only to justify an inflammatory and accusatory statement. Say what you mean and mean what you say. It is cowardly and arrogant for anyone to use this phrase. Just saying.
There are many depictions of Jesus Christ that are found in the Bible. He is the Lamb of God and the Good Shepherd who carries our burdens. He is also the Lion of Judah and the King of Kings who will return to earth one day as the triumphant Messiah. When Jesus spoke to people, He was always honest. He neither sugar coated His words nor hid His emotions. He could comfort a sister for the loss of her brother and He could use a whip and overturn the tables of unscrupulous money changers in the courtyard of the great temple of Jerusalem. How can God be so compassionate and so uncompromising at the same time?
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Matthew 23:27-28 (NKJV)
His scathing judgment of the Pharisees is a sobering example. Jesus detested hypocrisy and did not mince His words with those who would flagrantly disobey God’s commands while condemning others of the same sins. Jesus never hid behind witty phrases seeking to camouflage His true intentions.
The uncomfortable Truth is we are all sinners and condemned to spend an eternity in hell. But God so loved this world, that He gave us His only begotten Son. If we confess and repent of our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we will have eternal life and salvation and be saved from an eternity in hell and separation from the grace and mercy of God.
It is not just me saying, it is the Word of God.
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 