The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

I Corinthians 5:9-11, “I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people;

10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous

and swindlers, or with idolaters; for then you would have to go out of the world.

11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he should

be an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a

swindler– not even to eat with such a one.”

Churches are made up of people. Hopefully, they are saved, moral, upright

people. That’s what the LORD intends His Church to be. But sometimes

churches fall short of what the LORD wants; sometimes, even pastors fall

short. This is what was happening in the Church at Corinth. There was at

least one person who was behaving pretty badly and Paul said in a letter

that the rest of the church should have nothing to do with him! But letters

are sometimes misunderstood, and some held the opinion that Paul meant

they were not to associate with anyone whose behavior was not pure, whether

they were in the church or not.

Paul said that what he meant was anyone within the church –not anyone in

the world. After all, where would we go to get away from all the immoral

people? –to another planet? Some people are covetous. They just want

more of everything than anyone else has. That’s wrong to be like that.

Other people are swindlers. They lie and cheat people to get things they

want. Some people actually worship idols –gods they think are greater

than the LORD Himself. Don’t even eat with someone like that, Paul says.

Well, how are we going to win immoral people to Christ if we separate

ourselves from them completely? Keep in mind that the immoral activity

of which Paul was speaking was occurring in the Church! We’re not

responsible for what people outside the church do; but we certainly are

responsible for what goes on inside the church. And you and I may not

be able even to control all of that, but we can and must control ourselves.

It all starts with us. When we do right, we set the example for those who

are wrong. When we do right, the church is cleansed, and the LORD will

then use His Church to reach the lost.

We pray to be what the LORD wants; and we pray the same for you,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

I Corinthians 2:14-3:1, “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man.

16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ. And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to babes in Christ.”

In these four verses, Paul cites three types of human position: first, there is the

“natural man.” This man is spiritually lost and blinded to the things of the LORD.

They don’t make sense to him. He has not the slightest understanding of spiritual

matters. He only understands what he can see physically and know mentally, but

nothing of God. He may even deny that God exists.

The “spiritual man” is enabled to assess everything because he understands

Scripture and the teachings of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Everything to him is

measured by Scripture and by the Holy Spirit. The natural man cannot figure

him out. They are total opposites.

The “fleshly man” is a hybrid. He has been born again in Christ. He’s spiritually

saved and secure in Christ, and the Holy Spirit lives within him; however, he is

captivated by the things of the world. He ignores the teachings of the Bible and

dismisses the “urgings” of the Holy Spirit. He will say he is a Christian, but there

is little-to-nothing in his life to support that claim. He looks lost and closely

resembles the “natural man.”

How does all of this apply to us? First, we absolutely must know with certainty

that we are that “spiritual man!” We must maintain a habit of reading and under-

standing the Bible! The Holy Spirit may use others to help instruct us. Second,

when we are truly spiritually minded, the Holy Spirit will help us assess the

spiritual condition of others, whether they are “lost,” “saved,” or “worldly.”

Third, because the Holy Spirit lives within us, we must recognize Him as the only

Spiritual Director of our lives! “Wherever He leads, I’ll go.” Others may not

understand, but it absolutely essential that we follow the LORD’s leading because

one day we will stand before Him and will be required to give an account of our

lives. We want to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter

into the joys of the LORD!”

You are front and center in our daily prayers; and you are loved,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Romans 12:16-21, “Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind,

but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

20 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Anyone who really knows me, knows that I am both stubborn and outspoken.

When I have studied something and have assessed it to be right, I will stand

–alone, if necessary—vigorously in its defense. I have read and taught Romans

numerous times, but the meaning of these verses in chapter 12 hit me solidly,

as I face the many menaces of world.

I have often said that Ellicott is my first read after the Scriptures. Here is his

assessment of our verses for today, appendaged only for brevity —an assessment,

I must confess, that has enlightened me and turned my previous thoughts in

another direction.

Vs. 16, Be not wise in your own conceits. “Humility is necessary to the Christian not only in his dealings with others, but also to keep his mind open and teachable. He sees his errors, and learns from them.”

Vs. 17, Provide things honest . . . “Let your purposes be such that all men shall recognize their complete integrity. Do not engage in enterprises of a doubtful character, that might bring not only yourselves but the Christian body into ill repute.”

Vs. 18, …be at peace with all men. “The Christian can only be responsible for himself. So far as he is concerned, he is to do his best to maintain peace.”

Vs. 19, Give place unto wrath. “It seems best to understand this of ‘the wrath of God.’ Stand aside yourself as a mere spectator, and let the wrath of God have free course to accomplish itself as He shall think well.”

Vs. 20, …in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. The phrase, ’coals of fire’ is used of the divine vengeance… it also may mean, “…awakening in the adversary the pangs of shame and remorse.”

Vs. 21, Be not overcome of evil… “The infliction of vengeance is not a sign of strength, but of weakness. To repress the desire for revenge is to gain a victory over self, which is not only nobler in itself, but will also be much more effectual. It will disarm the enemy, and turn him into a friend.”

How vital the Word is to our daily lives!

We love you immensely! We pray for you daily!

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Romans 11:33 & 36, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever.

Amen.”

The richness of this chapter deserves more comment than I’m giving it.

Paul notes that when Adam sinned, the LORD literally constructed the

nation of Israel out of Abram. As Israel sinned, God gave the Laws

(10 Commandments) like speed-limit signs, to indicate Israel’s sin. When

Israel ignored God’s commandments, He ignored them and shared His

love with the Gentiles. It was His intention to provoke a jealousy in Israel

that would cause them to return to Him. The LORD never ceased to love

Israel. He knew that in time, Israel would accept His love and return

to Him. They haven’t yet, but we’re nearing the time when they will.

This is what Paul had in mind when he said, “Oh, the depths of the riches

both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” And then he adds, “For from

Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever.

Amen.”

Despite the turmoil that exists in the world today, the LORD is working out

His will. He doesn’t give us all the details we’d like to have as to how this

all fits together. But, He has given us more than we’ve uncovered, because

our minds are centered on things other than His Word. We need to focus

on the LORD! Everything comes from Him and returns to Him and glorifies

Him. Life is not about us; it’s about Him! We need to get with the Program!

We love and pray for you daily! Whatever you do, don’t miss God’s plan

for your life!

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Romans 8:38-39. “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,

nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come,

nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing,

shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ

Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8 is one of the supreme highlights of the entire book!

Having triumphed over the circumstances of chapter 7, Paul delights

in the invincible, inseparable, incomparable love of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul has lived through every conceivable trouble known to mankind;

and he credits his survival to the LORD who loves him. Yes, it’s true

that even after declaring our love for Him and acknowledging His

divine love for us, we’ve often fallen prey to the temptations of Satan.

Our love for Christ has often dimmed; but never has His love for us!

We did not redeem ourselves from sin; and His love that did redeem

us has never abandoned us no matter how grievously we have sinned.

We can only love Him because He continues to love us and hold us

securely in His unfathomable love. May we learn to love Him as He

loves us.

We love you and pray for you every, single day,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”