The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philippians 2:12-16, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing;

15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,

16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.”

These words are the words from the Apostle Paul, written to the believers in Philippi. They were behaving as true believers when he was present with them, so he now encourages them to behave in the same manner in his absence. Does that not sound like your mother when you were small? “You were so nice when you were at Aunt Ruth’s house; try to be the same when we are visiting Aunt Gloria.”

Paul adopts that parental note when he encourages the Philippians: “You were good when I was with you; now, be good while I am away.” His encouragement to them is equally intended for us: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing…”; show everyone that you are “children of God” and you will be “above reproach.”

It’s a tough call! We live in a rough and tumble time. Conflicts abound everywhere! Where can we find peace? Paul suggests that we start with ourselves. The “call to conflict” comes often, and it always comes from the wrong source; but it can be squashed by love, if we will only allow it. Love always rises above conflict, as it demonstrates the likeness of the LORD. What’s more, it brings indisputable glory to Him!

Isn’t that really why we’re here? Yes, I know… the world in which we live literally abounds in attitudes that conflict with the life and teachings of Jesus. Yet, if we maintain a close relationship and fellowship with Him, we are guaranteed victory! That’s His promise! What do you say? Let’s give it a shot!

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

Dear Grands,

II Peter 3:3-9, “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,

4 and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’

5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the Word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,

6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.

7 But by His Word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.

9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

Undoubtedly, you’ve heard the expression: “There’s nothing new under the sun.” Although not Scripture per se, that statement undoubtedly would fit snugly into the passage above; for that passage reminds us that “…all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation,” and mockery is but one of the elements that replicates itself throughout the ages: “Where is the promise of His coming?”

Stated clearly, the question expresses latent belief, and with unmistakable reassurance, that Jesus will return. Death, according to the stated Word above, is clearly not the will of the LORD for any man, woman, or child of an understandable age. Eternal destruction, however, is inevitable unless the person repents of sin and trusts in Jesus as Savior!

The LORD is quick to announce His plan of salvation; yet, He is patient in waiting for a human response. Just don’t delay too long. Time inevitably will close around us. Today is the day of salvation! Do not harden your heart!

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

Dear Grands,

Numbers 32:20-23, “So Moses said to them, ‘If you will do this, if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for the war,

21 and all of you armed men cross over the Jordan before the LORD until He has driven His enemies out from before Him,

22 and the land is subdued before the LORD, then afterward you shall return and be free of obligation toward the LORD and toward Israel, and this land shall be yours for a possession before the LORD.

23 ‘But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.’”

Israel had come a long way. Everyone was understandably tired. Now, the congregation stood before the River Jordan. Crossing the Jordan meant entering the Promised Land! But Moses had a problem. The sons of Reuben and Gad found the land this side of the River quite suitable for their needs; and they did not want to cross over and live on the other side of the river.

Moses ultimately allowed them to settle where they wanted; however, he required that they fight with their brothers to gain the Promised Land. Once they had conquered their enemies, they could return and settle where they wished. Moses’ words, however, were strong and serious: “But if you do not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure that your sin will find you out.”

Moses may not have been thinking beyond the situation that concerned them just at that time; however, his words have resounded clearly without fail throughout the centuries: “Be sure your sin will find you out!” It’s an indisputable maxim.

Each of us comes to grips with situations where wrong seems the simplest way. Scores of excuses flood our minds. What will it hurt? Who will know? And even if they do know, who would really care? It won’t hurt anyone. Numerous individuals have reckoned they could “scam the system” without being caught. Yet, there’s an “All-Seeing Eye” that is watching! And eventually, sin always finds us out! “One who walks in integrity walks securely, but one who perverts his ways will be found out” (Proverbs 10:9).

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

Dear Grands,

Leviticus 19:15-18, “’You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly.

16 ‘You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people, and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor; I am the LORD.

17 ‘You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him.

18 ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.”

It was like yesterday, although I was a small boy. I came home furious, vowing that I would never play again with my neighbor across the street! He used bad language, and I would have nothing to do with him ever again!

I think I’ve shared this with you previously, but it corresponds equally well with the Scripture above. Although the above passage is taken from the Old Testament, holding grudges is equally sinful and as unnecessary for today’s environment as it was when Leviticus was written.

I’m sure I’ve done things over the years for which some still hold me accountable. None of us live lives of perfection; still, the grudge-holder is more the victim than the ones who are accused. Sin is sin, whoever commits it; and sin can be sin in both directions.

The Scripture is clear that one “…may surely reprove…” another, but is warned against incurring sin by holding a grudge. Both parties should repent. There should be no harboring of ill will against anyone by a true believer in Jesus Christ.

It’s hard for any of us to admit to having sinned. We may try by arguing that the sin was “the other person’s fault.” But unless we release the hardness we hold against that other person, we only continue to do harm to ourselves. “…You, LORD, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all who call upon You” (Psalm 86:5). May I be the one to issue that call.

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

Dear Grands,

Jeremiah 29:10-14, “For thus says the LORD, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place.

11 ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

12 ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

13 ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

14 ‘I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’”

Have you ever been in trouble? I mean serious trouble – trouble that you yourself caused? Legal trouble! If so, you have a small, bitter taste of what Israel experienced when she forsook the leadership of the LORD! Israel had fallen into the hands of the Babylonians, and the situation was as far from pleasant as one could ever imagine! Israel was even deceived by prophets whom they had been taught to believe!

They had forsaken the LORD, but He had not forsaken them. It’s like a parent-child relationship. The child strays from the teaching of the parent and plunges himself into a heap of trouble. Yet, the parent, never forsaking the child completely, allows him to suffer until he realizes he has listened to the wrong “leadership.”

In Israel’s case, the LORD sent Israel into Babylonian exile for 70 years! Yet, He never abandoned them completely! They were His people; they needed to learn that He was their Master! Haven’t you dealt similarly with your children? We all need to learn that “we can’t do wrong and get by!” Sin pays wages, too! Yet, they are long and harsh until we learn.

“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Let’s learn His plans while there is still hope! God bless you!

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