The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Galatians 5:13-17, “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care lest you be consumed by one another.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.”

A prisoner walk out of prison. He has served the appropriate time for having done wrong, and he says to himself, “I am FREE!” In one sense, he is free; but he is not free to simply do as he pleases. That was what caused his imprisonment in the first place. He is only free to live in obedience to the law of the land in which he resides.

I wish I had the space to give you the background to the Galatian people. They were historically an “on-again-off-again” people. Paul had ministered to them of Christ Jesus, and ostensibly they had believed the Gospel. Yet, when someone else came to them with a message contrary to what Paul had given them, they accepted it, turning away from Paul’s true gospel.

We live in just such a day! The avenues of information we possess tell us of numerous preachers who who share a “gospel” that is contrary to what the Scriptures teach. And those who are not grounded in the true gospel are carried away with the various and sundry teachings of misinformation these non-Christian preachers preach as true. Be very careful! You can be carried away with nonsense just like these Galatians were.

The true Gospel is contained in the New Testament alone. Don’t be misled by the aggressive style of these preachers! They are “fleshly,” declaring only thoughts that lead you to follow them! Listen instead only to those who carefully and clearly explain the meaning of the Scriptures, and the love of our LORD Jesus Christ.

Yes, Christ Jesus makes us free. By faith in His death and resurrection, He frees us from the penalty of sin. Yet, we are free only to follow Him, as His Word (the Holy Scriptures) instructs us. When we know Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit guides us in understanding the Scriptures. Listen to the Spirit’s guidance, and be free indeed!

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