The Grands Letter (John/GLJ)

Dear Grands,

John 8:31-36, “Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you abide in My Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;

32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’

33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s offspring, and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You shall become free’?”

34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.

35 “And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever.

36 “If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”

Freedom is a word that has a plethora of meanings. My minuscule dictionary, making no pretense of infallibility (but wanting no contradictions), gives no less than 17 separate definitions of the word.

All of that is to say that there was virtually no opportunity for those to whom Jesus spoke to escape His meaning of “freedom.” What “triggered” His Word in those Jews provoked their response: “We are Abraham’s offspring, and have never yet been enslaved…”

Have you never shared the Gospel with someone, even of Jewish lineage, who said, “I’m a member of the church,” or “I’m Jewish!” How easily some people seek to escape from truth – even the Truth spoken by the Savior Himself.

Possessing truth never depends upon one’s membership in a church – any church! It clearly depends upon one’s having personally accepted the LORD Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Savior. Even then, one’s freedom rests exclusively upon Jesus’ words.

Only recently, a man knocked on my door. Before he left, I asked if he were a Christian. His brief testimony was convincing. He was free to believe and rest in Jesus; I am free to believe in Him, also. And so are you! Have you trusted Him? Have you been born again? I honestly trust that you have.

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need

Until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom