The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Titus 2:11-15, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,

13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus; 14 Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”

Timeframes are important to the understanding of Scripture. In these verses, the Apostle Paul covers the past, the present (both his and ours) and the future. The appearance of God’s grace was manifest (past) in death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was He who made possible the salvation of all (??? pas) men.

He then instructs us (present), who are saved, to deny (say no to) “ungodliness and worldly desires.” It is truly possible for us to resist the devil and his alurements –things that divert our attention away from Christ and from the responsibilies we have toward Him and toward our fellowman.

With respect to the present, Paul reminds us to look “for the blessed hope” (future) and the appearing of our LORD Jesus. The word “hope” in Greek means “future certainty.” It is definite that He will Come Again! We are not to forget that “He gave Himself for us.” His sacrifice of Himself was for us. He created us for Himself, but we were wooed away by Satan to follow the alurement of the world. Christ died for us and to redeem us from everything impure, worldly, and lawless. He became the ransom, whereby we were bought back from sin and cleansed as a people for His possession. His resurrection proves the validity of His Self-sacrifice.

The evil we face is the result of Satan’s ubiquitous activity in the world. We have comfort in the assurance that Christ lives actively to purify us for His glory. He is Coming Again to gather His believers to Himself. The big question is: how will we respond? Are we ready?

Prayerfully yours,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”