The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 8:31-36, “Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him,

‘If you abide in My Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you shall know

the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ 33 “They answered Him, ‘We are Abraham’s

offspring, and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, “You shall

become free”?’ 34 “Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits

sin is the slave of sin. 35 And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does

remain forever. 36 If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.’”

There is nothing quite like freedom. I have preached in jails around the world.

Prisoners are those who are not free. There are various kinds of imprisonment.

Some are actual, physical enslavements that do not permit freedom of movement.

Other imprisonments allow, but limit the movement of the prisoners. What is

most severe, however, is the mental imprisonment. This is where people appear

to be free, but are beclouded and shackled mentally. Jesus said that sin does that.

Do you remember when I told you of that delicious dish that I loved in India? I still

have never tasted anything so scrumptious. But, it made me sick! I had pain that

told me I should not have eaten it; but it was so good, that when I recovered from

my sickness, I ordered and ate it again!! I was a prisoner of that tasty food.

I have counseled some who were addicted to alcohol, drugs, pornography. They

learned the Truth that would set them free, yet many returned to their sin. They

were prisoners –prisoners who begged to be free, but refused to walk out the door.

How stupid is that? It’s more than stupid; it’s intoxicating! I’ve talked to women,

whose husbands disrespected them in every conceivable way, yet they refused to

leave them. Sometime children are imprisoned in their own homes by a father,

who uses them for his own intentions. They are not physically bound, but they

are slaves! –mental slaves, afraid to launch out on their own.

The LORD Jesus saved us to be free! –mentally, physically, emotionally! Freedom

is possible in Christ. Fear is the guard that forbids and inhibits freedom! But, we

will never be free unless and until we trust the LORD and forsake that sin that

imprisons us.

We love and pray daily for you and for freedom from fear,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”