The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Tim 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman

who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.”

My maternal grandfather was a preacher. I can well remember conversing with him

about things within the Bible. He said to me, “You can prove anything from the Bible

if you twist the meaning to mean what you want. But if you take it exactly as it is

written, you have the meaning that God intended.”

We live in a day when many well-meaning speakers and writers are simply wrong

in things they say and write. The often speak with smooth and pleasing words and

sport academic degrees from prestigious institutions of learning. None of this,

however, guarantees that what they say is the truth. Paul wrote to Timothy to “be

diligent (eager, make every effort) to show yourself tested and approved to God”—

not as a smart, intelligent, sophisticated, know-it-all person, but as a humble, spiritual

lowly, but able laborer, and unashamed to be eagerly engaged in the LORD’s work.

The specific requirement for so presenting yourself trained and ready is that you

handle (cut straight, correctly follow) His Word of Truth. To be sure, you and I do

not know everything; but what we do know we are eager to share with others. And

what we know and share is sufficient for those who know nothing about His love

and saving grace. Remember, too, that while intelligent, trained men multiply their

own following, they are not authoritative! Only the infallible, inerrant Word of God

is authoritative; and it carries the power of its loving and gracious Author.

Our prayers of love are offered for you every 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.”