The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 8:31-36, “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’
33 They answered Him, ‘We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, “You will become free?”
34 Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.
35 ‘The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever.
36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.’”

How typical was such a response of the Jews to whom Jesus spoke. “We are Abraham’s descendants,” they boasted. “We have never been slaves to anyone.” In one sense, they were right: as a people, they had never been enslaved by any nation or any lesser group of people.

Still, there are different kinds of slavery. Jesus might have used numerous illustrations to which they were enslaved; yet, He elected the spiritual one –one from which they could not escape. It is also the one from which none of us can escape –without His help, that is.

Prisoners, who concentrate soley upon their physical bondage, are usually wasting their time. They surely would do better to concentrate upon how they came to be in jail in the first place –better yet, on how they might be loosed from their captivity altogether.

Speaking in the physical sense, Jesus said, “The slave does not remain in the house forever…” He comes and goes as is only necessary to fulfill the deeds which have been assigned to him. Not so, however, for the son. He is free to roam throughout the estate. He is a physical son to the owner.

Ultimately, each and every one of us is or has been bound by sin! As such, we are limited to certain responsibilities! Whatever accomplishments lie before us. Pray for me and work on you own sin. Laboring together with Christ will be beneficial to us both!

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