The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Genesis 18:25-33, “Far be it from Thee to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from Thee! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”

26 So the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.”

27 And Abraham answered and said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes.

28 “Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, wilt Thou destroy the whole city because of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”

29 And he spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose forty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.”

30 Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”

31 And he said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.”

32 Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.”

33 And as soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed; and Abraham returned to his place.”

Have you ever thought that you could “out-talk” the LORD? I know some preachers who apparently believe they can. Have you ever thought you could bargain with the LORD and win? Well, I’ve never personally known that to be successful. It seems both dangerous and futile to me. Yet, I suppose each of us has, at some time, sought to persuade the LORD to come our way.

There are some decidedly spiritual aspects that must be “in place,” if any facet of such can be successful. Examining the life of Abraham finds him abiding in the way of the LORD. Any child of a wise and loving parent knows that “minding” is key to obtaining future freedoms.

What has the LORD commissioned you to be beyond being a true and faithful servant? “Being” supersedes “doing.” How clearly and often my mother used to say, “Well, if you do what I’ve told you, we’ll see about it.” Are you doing what He has told you to do? Are you reading the Bible? Are you faithfully praying? Do others know you as a true and faithful witness for the LORD? Okay, now we’ll see about those things you’ve asked.

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,

Romans 14:7-12, “For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written, ‘As I LIVE,’ SAYS THE LORD, ‘EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.’ 12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.”

Death is a human reality. Of course, other living creatures also die; but, for the most part, human death is what primarily concerns us.

I have witnessed a lot of deaths in my lifetime. I’ve preached what seems like an enormous number of funerals. Some were the relatives of people I had never known; others were friends and relatives. It’s always sorrowful to lose those whom we’ve loved.

If there is joy—any joy in death, and there is some, it is usually due to either one’s personal encounter with the decedent or simply the gratitude that he is now free from the anguish of pain and suffering.

Yet, death is not the end. The Word of God, through the learned apostle, tells us that “we will all stand before the judgment seat of God and give an account of all that we have done and left undone! That will be an unprecedented day! Our hearts and minds will be devoid of excuses for how we have lived and the things we have done and left undone.

Yet, in His graciousness, He will allow us to bow before Him and give praise for all He is and has done! It will be a glorious day. Everything depends on how we arrange it.

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,

Isaiah 1:16-20, “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil,

17 Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.

18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD, though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.

19 “If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land.

20 “But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” Truly, the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Although I did not always obey by doing what others instructed me to do, I was always aware of what they meant for me to understand. Isaiah demanded both. In these seven imperatives, the prophet lists three positive actions related to his hearers’ preparation of themselves. The initial directive was: “wash yourselves!” The inference is that they were not clean. One has to be clean in order to cleanse what is filthy.

The prophet also demanded that the Israelites abolish, once and for all, every evil activity from their lives. Further, they were to determine never to engage in such nefarious things again! It was not a suggestion; it was intentional; a seriously heavy demand.

The prophet’s directive speaks well to us today. Our activities, our responsibilities, our intentions require that we divest ourselves of every evil that resides within us and pledge to terminate it forever. Evil and good are never compatible!

Further, we must learn to always do good. Justice will then emerge as we chastise those who are harsh in their dealings with the helpless. Still, should we fail to do what is right, we will surely receive divine vengeance from the LORD. May we always be attentive to His Word; and may He ever be gracious and merciful to us as we learn.

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,

Galatians 5:13-18, “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’

15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”

“Freedom” is surely one of the cardinal words in the English language! I am not familiar with the word in Farsi, but it is—as of this hour—a signal word in the country of Iran! The regime that has dominated the country for multiple years is now in full retreat! Three principal cities have broken free! What’s more, Crown Prince Pahlavi, who has been in exile for many years, has committed himself to return and govern the nation. The people are excited beyond belief!

“Freedom,” in any language, in any country, in any life is of inestimable value! Yet, it is more than supreme when it has meaning spiritually. The Apostle Paul writes that we “were called to freedom.” Christ Jesus has issued that call. Bound in slavery by the chains of sin, His death and resurrection set free each and every person who accepts Him as Savior and Lord.

Knowing human nature, as I do, I am confident that there were or are those in Iran today who considered themselves free when they were not. You may be like that—thinking you are free when you truly are not. Only knowing Jesus—being committed to Him—sets you truly free.

Trust Him today. Just pray, admit, and confess your sins to Him. He will forgive you completely.

How will you know you’re forgiven? Believe me, you will know! Just don’t forget to say, “Thank you!” It’s a whole new life!

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,

Psalm 40:13-17, “Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; Make haste, O LORD, to help me.

14 Let those be ashamed and humiliated together Who seek my life to destroy it; Let those

be turned back and dishonored Who delight in my hurt.

15 Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, ‘Aha, aha!’

16 Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let those who love Your salvation say continually, ‘The LORD be magnified!’

17 Since I am afflicted and needy, let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer. Do not delay, O my God.”

Psalm 70:1-8, “O God, hasten to deliver me; O LORD, hasten to my help!

2 Let those be ashamed and humiliated Who seek my life; let those be turned back and dishonored who delight in my hurt.

3 Let those be turned back because of their shame who say, ‘Aha, aha!’

4 Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let those who love Your salvation say continually, ‘Let God be magnified.’

5 But I am afflicted and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer. O LORD, do not delay.”

Whenever we’re in trouble, we immediately seek someone to help! The one we seek is the one who is competent and nearby.

These two Psalms depict the cry of someone in desperate need! Thus, “hasten” is always a principal word! Time is the designation of utmost importance! “Haste” and “Hasten” are doubly needed in our day! “Help” is the cry of each! And help is exactly what we need!

Still, caution squeezes itself into both verses. It is an ingredient that on our part must never be ignored! Its action, however, must always be tempered, so as to avoid crying “Wolf, wolf,” and drawing unprepared helpers into the fray.

In each instance in the above verses, “hasten” is properly tempered and addressed to the only One competent to hear and respond. The LORD is truly our best and only help in time of trouble!

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