The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Mark 7:6-8, “And He said to them, ‘Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. 7 But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.” 8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”’”

“Wash your hands and get ready for dinner!” Those words from my mother still ring in my ears! She probably wouldn’t have had to say that to the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. They were

constantly washing everything: their hands, their feet, their cooking utensils, the table and benches that held the food. In our view today, they cleansed to excess. Still, they were not cleaning things to eliminate germs; it was an external religious ritual that they viewed as an act of worship toward God.

A careful reading of this passage tells us that Jesus was not-at-all against cleanliness; He was much more interested in the attitude of men’s hearts. Many religions today engage in external rituals, thinking that they are honoring God. With many of them, the god they honor is not the God we know and revere.

Ministers, teachers, professors all need to be careful that they not mingle external rituals with inward faith. Those who are under their teachings need also to weigh what they are taught against the Word of God because some men teach things that are merely human traditions as spiritually required doctrines of God.

We are truly living in “the Last Days.” Corruption in teachings, and in morals, could hardly descend to a lower level. Keep your heart clean and honor the LORD Jesus Christ with your life and words. When the heart is right, the hands will be clean in His sight.

We love and pray for you every day,

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.”