The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Romans 1:21-25, “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.
25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”

Whom do you know, and how do you know them? In one sense, I can say that I know the governor of my state. I knew him before he was governor. We have met on more than one occasion, shook hands, engaged in short conversations. Thus, I know the governor of my state. But do I know him really? Have we engaged in the kind of conversations that reveal what each of us is to the other? No, we have not. So, do I really and truly “know” him? Pushed to the wall, I would have to say, “No.”

Those of whom the Apostle Paul speaks in our verses above “knew” the LORD about as much as I know the governor. The word “knew” (??????? ginosko) suggests “inception or progress” in knowledge (Vine). Had they truly known Him (oida), they would have honored Him and given Him thanks for His many indescribable gifts. Instead of honoring Him, they substituted images of pagan deities for His glory. I once observed a picture hanging on the wall of Christian home. I summarily suggested that the lady of the house remove it because it contained a “message” she did not understand.

Honoring anything that dishonors the LORD leads us away from Him, step-by-step. And it is those who “exchange the truth of God for a lie” that do not know Him. We who do know Him are responsible to share Him with others. Does not the Scripture say that Jesus is to be the object of our worship and praise? –the only object of our worship and praise!

If you have not committed your life to Christ Jesus, pray and trust Him today. We are all loving and trusting something or someone. Just shift your love to the One who in love gave Himself on the Cross for your sins. He is your start to a new and glorious Life!

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