The Grands Letter (GLJ)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D. on March 6, 2018 7:49 am (CST)Dear Grands,
Hebrews 3:12-14, “Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil,
unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day
after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” lest any one of you be hardened by the
deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the
beginning of our assurance firm until the end…”
The very early translators of Scripture held to the Pauline authorship of Hebrews. Over
time, however, some insisted that someone other than Paul was the original author.
We know that Paul was the designated apostle to the Gentiles, and Peter was the
designated apostle to the Jews. It is often overlooked that Paul was to be an apostle
to the Jews, too (Acts 9:15). As the primary apostle to the Jews, Peter should have
written Hebrews. But he lacked the theological training that Paul had (Acts 22:3). I have
come to believe that Paul wrote Hebrews anonymously, so as not to embarrass Peter.
All that being said, these verses warn us not to get careless with regard to our spiritual
lives. Just because we are saved does not mean we cannot give the devil a place in
our hearts and lives. Many people who have been truly saved, give in to worldliness
and withdraw from the LORD and His will for their lives. Paul warns, too, that sin is
deceitful (deceptive). It gives “a false sense of pleasurable security (that is) seductively
generated” by the devil himself.
We are strongly admonished to be encouragers of others “day after day,” and for long
as we have opportunity. Our encouragement of others to receive the LORD Jesus
Christ and to live for Him is proof-positive that we ourselves belong to Him. Heaven is
for Eternity –and so is Hell! What little time we have here on Earth must be spent in
sharing Christ with those who do not know Him. Pray today that the LORD will lead
someone to you for your encouragement. And don’t be surprised when He does!!!
Our love for you will never lessen and 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.”