The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Galatians 5:6-10, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. 7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. 10 I have confidence in you in the Lord, that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.”

Have you ever had someone challenge your faith in Christ? It is quite common for people who do not accept your beliefs to challenge them. In the New Testament, these people are called Judiazers. They were Jews who insisted that Gentiles had to accept Judiasm before they could become Christians. Remember that the Galatians were an unstable people, believing first one thing, then another? Well, the Judiazers had infiltrated the Galatians and got them confused about the salvation in Jesus Christ that they had embraced.

Today, we still have Judaizers. We call them legalists. Oh, they believe in Jesus, but they have some “homemade rules” that everyone must follow or they cannot be saved. In other words, their “faith” is mixed with “works.” Paul rebukes people like this when he says, that “rules” don’t matter; what matters is “faith working through love.” His challenge to the Galatians is his challenge to us as well: “You were running well, who bumped you and broke your stride?” He then adds that whoever tells you that anything in addition to faith in Christ is necessary for salvation did not get their information from God or the Bible! Oh, they may quote a biblical verse as one of their “rules,” but the true understanding of that verse is different from they way they use it.

It doesn’t take much to lead us from a true belief experience with Christ back into the ways of the world. “A little leaven,” Paul says, “does the trick.” Just one step back into the world is all that it takes. Paul warns us not to adopt any view that is not truly biblical and Christian. There are consequences if and when we do. And those who lead us away from the truth in Christ alone will stand in judgment for their deeds. This is serious stuff! That’s why our fellowship must be with other believers. Yes, we are to witness to non-Christians; but we are not to run with them. Pick your true friends carefully. Satan has disguised some evil people, so as to deceive you. Stay in the Word daily! Be prayerful in all things! Trust only the LORD!

We pray for you always, and we need your prayers, too,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”