Seven Quotes from Blind Spots

Have you ever sat through a sermon and thought, “Wow, I wish so-and-so were here so they could hear this. This is speaking directly to their sin, struggles, and circumstances”?

Asking for a friend.

Because you’ve never had those thoughts, right? Oh, of course, me either. What am I talking about? We would never think such arrogant and pompous things.

Okay, but really. I was barely into the introduction of Blind Spots when I had that exact stream of consciousness roll through my brain. And then I realized that was the exact purpose of the book.

Blind Spots directly addresses the seed (and possibly full-grown tree) of pride smack in the middle of the thought that others could benefit from this or that before you could.

Here’s what I believe is the heart of the book:

“Abiding in Christ is the best defense against the blind spots that destroy our joy in following Jesus and set us against other believers with different gifts and callings.” (p. 111)

The message of Blind Spots is necessary for God’s church (especially in the West), and I highly recommend it. 

The most convicting chapter for me, which exposed a personal blind spot of which I was unaware, was the one on being compassionate. Those pages are permanently soaked in yellow highlighter. I mean, listen to this,

“When anything or anyone but Jesus molds the shape of our compassion, we risk crafting love in our own image.” (p. 44)

Okay, fine, Collin Hansen, I see the Lord speaking through you. I get it. I feel it. And I’m thankful.

Check out the following quotes and consider adding this little jewel to your own bookshelf.

“By lamenting the good old days, nostalgia tempts us to forsake the present day as beyond the scope of God’s redemption, out of reach from His intervention.” (p. 66)

7 More Quotes

“When His followers rest together in the love of a long-suffering God who does not share His glory with another, we can give up the fight for our reputation and get on with the work of the kingdom.” (p. 30)

“We defend the doctrines of grace without grace and confuse rejection of us with rejection of Jesus. But Jesus didn’t give up on His foolish disciples. He even forgave His murderers from the cross. And He didn’t give up on you and me in our sin. So pessimism doesn’t make us heroic. Courage that counts makes you faithful in whatever place and position God has given you. This courage makes you fervent in spirit, patient in tribulation, and constant in prayer as you serve the Lord with zeal, always rejoicing in His sure hope (Rom. 12:11-12). And the challenges we face in a changing world will weed out all but the fervent, patient, constant, and rejoicing Christians. Pessimism and retreat will not suffice.” (p.72.)

“Real courage values making a difference over merely appearing courageous in defeat.” (p. 77)

“Never argue unless you can demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). This way, you might actually have a chance of persuading someone who disagrees.” (p. 78)

“If we can finally wake up from the American Dream, you and I can cast a vision of the sure and coming kingdom. Wealth and status in the world cannot compare to the ‘inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you’ (1 Pet. 1:4).” (p. 95)

“Because Jesus walked among us, He understands the tragedy and tumult of life. We must not live the impression in our worship services that Christianity offers escape from the trials of life, as if you can only worship God when smiling and clapping along to an upbeat band. A church that does not lament cannot teach new believers the way of Jesus.” (p. 97)

“Give God the glory for bringing unity from our diversity of spiritual gifts. And when He gets the glory, you’ll get the joy of a Gospel community that appeals to the world.” (p. 109)