The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Romans 13:8-10, “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor

has fulfilled the law.

9 For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not

covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your

neighbor as yourself.”

10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.”

Did you ever lend something to a friend and never get it back? Oh, at the time he borrowed it, he assured you of its return. Still, it was never returned or repaid. Did you ever borrow something with the promise that you would return it? Did you return it?

Paul not only wanted people to be committed to Jesus Christ, he wanted them to live honestly, too. And the key word he uses is love (?????? agapao). You will recall from earlier Letters that there are four Greek words that translate as “love,” and only three of them are found in the New Testament. Agape is

Is the highest form of love, and it expects nothing in return. (You can think of me as you want, but you cannot keep me from loving you.”)

Verse nine lists only four prohibitions: adultery, murder, theft and inordinate desires. Certainly, there are more wrongs than four, but he doesn’t need to list them because all sinful attitudes are erased when we “love (our) neighbors” as we love ourselves. “Love does no wrong to a neighbor”; therefore, love overwhelms the law!

These Letters have often dealt with sharing Christ with lost people. Many believers think that they are personally inadequate to witness. Their excuses are that they don’t know enough Scripture; they don’t know enough to answer other’s questions or think quickly enough to counter someone’s misuse of Scripture. But, the key to effective witnessing is simply knowing Jesus and possessing genuine love for lost souls. No opposition, however fierce or intimidating, can ultimately stand in the face of genuine, spiritual love. Love is the fulfillment of all things. Learn to love Christ Jesus and He will teach you how to love lost people.

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.”