The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”

With all the troubles currently existing in the world-at-large, some ideas are so subtle that

we can literally become prisoners while we adamantly believe and argue that we are totally free! Even the mouse ignores the potential danger it faces by looking only at the cheese.

Paul warns us against humanistic philosophy, what Danker calls “learned blah blah.” It is

indeed “empty deception,” inviting us to an intentional focus on that which is dedicated to our destruction. What kind of books do you read? What kind of television do you view? What is the primary focus of your discussions with friends? Do those discussions help to build character, or are they just lead to ruminations on whatever comes to mind?

Tradition certainly has its value; but tradition has a darker side, too. Ideas handed down from

much earlier times, especially doctrinal traditions, may be loaded with superstition and lead us

down wrong and dangerous paths. Gingrich cites such as “empty in the sense without any basis, without truth or power.” The Apostle John warns, “…do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1).

There are many books in my library and many more available on line; yet, when I want to know the absolute meaning of something, I go the languages in which the Scriptures were originally written. God is the only One who doesn’t make mistakes. Only yesterday, I discovered an error in something I had written years ago. I moved quickly to correct it. None of us are without error; thus, staying exceedingly close to Scripture is a mandate we must always observe.

As Jesus Christ is our only hope, so His Word is our only impeccable Informant. Read the Bible daily. Pray for the LORD’s counsel as you read His Word. Compare Scripture with Scripture, “…that God may open up to us a door for the Word, so that we may speak forth

the mystery of Christ…” (Col. 4:3). May our LORD bless you abundantly with His Truth!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom