ONLINE CHURCH BULLETIN

The Six Word Letter

Call it a practical joke. Or a test of character.

It is rumored that for some reason, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle — the man who created the famous Sherlock Holmes — decided to send an anonymous letter to a dozen of his friends. Each friend lived in London. Each friend was a busy man of professional standing and good reputation.

The letter was delivered to each gentleman on the same day, and the letters were all identical. They contained just six words — six words that would tell a tremendous amount about the people who received the unsigned notes.

Here's what the letters said: "Flee at once. All is known."

Twelve letters delivered to twelve friends. And every one of the dozen men immediately left London.

This story illustrates how much we fear having our inner lives brought to light. Yet God already knows our thoughts as well as our actions. To be known so intimately can be frightening — until we realize that God also loves us and accepts us.

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, whether good or bad" II Corinthians 5:10

For His Cause,
Tim Woodward