The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Peter 2:19-21, “…by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.

20 For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.

21 For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them.”

How often have you heard someone say, “I’m free to do whatever I want”? How often have you said that very same thing?

In yesterday’s Grands Letter, I mentioned that Second Peter 1 deals with “moral corruption” and Second Peter 2 deals with “doctrinal corruption.” Peter well may have both areas of corruption in mind when he writes that “by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.”

Slavery is a very slippery slope. It’s so easy to say, “That’s something which I’ll never do again!” But, before long, you’re doing that very thing and making excuses for doing it! It’s not only wrong, but it’s dangerous! Peter’s warning is especially geared to Christians. Yes, you “escaped the defilements (sins)” that used to plague you because you gave your heart and life to Jesus Christ. He forgave you and cleansed you, and you started out on a new track. But, then—you slipped back, and became “again entangled” and “overcome.” Now, you’re worse off than ever! You’re mad at yourself, but temptation ensnared you! What can you do now?

Peter says it would have been better that you had not known the way of righteousness, than knowing it and then turning away from the LORD’s commands and instructions. Don’t despair! We’ve all been there! If we’re talking about moral corruption, we must confess it and yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s mercy and forgiveness. If we’re talking about doctrinal corruption, we need to flee from the source and bury ourselves in the Word of God –the Bible—until our minds have been cleansed of the putrefaction of false doctrine and we have come back to the purity of the Holy Word.

Both moral error and doctrinal error can be swept from our minds and hearts. But such is a process. We must genuinely want to be free from both, and we must trust the LORD to cleanse us. Many servants of the LORD have failed; but the LORD has never failed any of His true servants. He will not fail you! God bless you abundantly! You are in my prayers!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(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.”