The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ephesians 5:6-10, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the

sons of disobedience.

7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;

8 for you were formerly darkness but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light

9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.”

Were you ever in conversation with someone who could express himself at length while depriving his content of all substance? If you have, you understand what the Apostle Paul meant by empty words, words devoid of true value. Not only

are the words empty, they are deceptive (?????? (apatao, intentionally misleading). Just don’t affiliate with such persons!

Why? Because while you were at one time walking in the same darkness, possessing the same deceptive intentions, you

are not like that now! You are light in the LORD! The Apostle John said, “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1Jn 1:5). And that’s exactly what Paul means by being “light in the LORD.”

Paul’s words are not deceptive, like some men’s words are. He is straight up when he speaks of “the fruit of the light.” The word “fruit” (??????, karpos) means benefits, proceeds). So, what is the benefit of walking in the Light of the LORD? Verse nine of our passage lists the benefit as threefold: goodness, righteousness, and truth. Be careful to note that it is not your

goodness or your righteousness or your truth. These are qualities of the LORD Himself. Oh, there are times when we have

been good; but, perhaps, there was a hidden purpose behind that goodness. There were times when we were righteous; but again, that righteousness might have had a personal agenda. Yes, there were times when we told the truth; but it may have been because we feared punishment if we were not truthful.

The entire situation here teaches us that when we are truly born-again believers in Jesus Christ, our lives are changed! We

are new creatures! We live under new colors! And we are not ashamed, because we are walking in His Light, and our behavior is focused on bringing the LORD all the glory! Is that how you are living? If not, what are you going to say when you stand before Him? That invites some serious thought. I’ll be praying for you.

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.”