Nope. Jesus never said that.

It can be easy, especially for those of us who have been around church for a long time, to start acting as if God’s love is reserved for people who already know the songs, believe the right things, vote the right way, attend the right church, and use the right Christian language.

But that is not the heart of Jesus.

Jesus did not come because religious people had finally earned God’s attention. He came because sinners were lost, broken, wandering, and loved.

John 3:16 does not say, “For God so loved the Christians.” It says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son.” The love of God is not small. It is not tribal. It is not reserved for the already convinced. God loves the world.

That does not mean everyone is automatically right with God. Jesus calls all people to repentance, faith, and new life in Him. But we must be very careful not to confuse being rescued with being superior.

Christians are not people God loved because they were better.

Christians are people God saved because He is merciful.

Titus 3 gives us a needed reminder: “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures” (Titus 3:3). In other words, do not forget where you came from. Do not forget what grace found you in. Do not look at people who are still far from God as if you were never there yourself.

Paul continues, “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us” (Titus 3:4-5). And why did He save us? Not because we were impressive. Not because we had cleaned ourselves up. Not because we had stacked up enough righteous deeds to earn His favor. Paul says He saved us “not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy” (Titus 3:5).

That is the gospel.

God’s mercy is not a trophy for the morally successful. It is a rescue for the undeserving.

Jesus made this clear in the way He lived. He ate with tax collectors and sinners. He touched lepers. He welcomed children. He forgave the guilty. He noticed the overlooked. He moved toward people that religious leaders often moved away from.

And then He told His followers to do the same.

In Matthew 5:44, Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” That kind of love does not make sense if God only loves insiders. Jesus calls us to love beyond our comfort zone because that is how God has loved us.

So, no, Jesus did not say, “I love Christians more than anyone else.”

He said something better.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love” (John 15:9).

And when we abide in His love, we become the kind of people who carry that love into the world.

Not with pride.

Not with superiority.

Not with selective compassion.

But with humility, mercy, and gratitude.

Because once we, too, were foolish and running away.

Then kindness appeared.

And mercy rescued us.