The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Only recently, I read a piece by Dr. Sean McDowell, who is Associate Professor of Christian Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology in California. He shocked his audience by entitling his message “What Happened to Truth?” In the course of his message he stated that “one of the biggest lies this generation is tempted to believe is a lie about freedom –that freedom is about doing whatever you want to do…” He supported his proposition by adding, “If God has created us, there’s a purpose for lives, how we’re supposed to live and we’re only truly free if we know that purpose and live accordingly.”

I thought it would be an interesting exercise to collect from the Scriptures words that align with “freedom” and seek to understand them in the context of our own lives. To do this, I first went to the Dictionary to find words that equalled or were close to “freedom.” Then I researched the words from the Scriptures, noting the number of instances where the words were mentioned first (or near first) in Scripture. Here are the results:

Truth – mentioned 435 times – Genesis 24:27: Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for his son, Isaac. The servant says, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His lovingkindness and His truth toward my master; as for me, the LORD has guided me in the way to the house of my master’s brothers.”

Faithful – mentioned 429 times – Gen. 32:10: Jacob meets Esau after many years and says, “I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which Thou hast shown to Thy servant…”

Certain – 189 times – Gen. 15:13: “And God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years.”

Trust – 164 times – Exod. 22:9: The LORD’s ordinances set before Moses – “For every breach of trust, whether it is for ox, for donkey, for sheep, for clothing, or for any lost thing about which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties shall come before the judges; he whom the judges condemn shall pay double to his neighbor.”

Integrity – 27 times– Gen. 20:5: Abimelech said, “Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.”

Fact, Sincere and Accurate were listed 19, 16, and 4 times respectfully.

Now, it only remains for you and me to examine ourselves and determine the accuracy of Dr. McDowell’s thesis. Are we always truthful? Are we always faithful? Do we determine the certainty of a thing before repeating it? Are we always trustworthy? Are we integritous? Do we always deal in facts, with sincerity and with accuracy?

Remember, that God has created you; there’s a purpose for your life, how you’re supposed to live; and you’re only truly free if you know that purpose and live accordingly. May God help each of us to live daily for His Glory!

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.”