The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Galatians 1:1-5, Paul, an apostle (not sent from men, nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),

2 and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ,

4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

5 to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.”

Who gave you the authority to –? You have undoubtedly heard that more than once in your life. And you may hear it again. When I became dean of the faculty at Northeastern Bible College, I quickly saw that some changes were needed in my area. I began by announcing that I had been hired by the president of the college and I was there to work with them in carrying out the responsibilities of the academic area.

Authority must be ascerted, but it must rest upon an even higher authority.

Paul does precisely this when he commences his letter to the Galatian Church. He announces that he is an apostle sent from the LORD Jesus Christ. The word apostle has a history in sailing. Ultimately, it came to mean “one sent on a mission by a higher authority.” With Paul, that authority rested in the LORD Jesus, whom God the Father had given to be the sacrifice for the sins of all humanity. Jesus proved His authority by arising from the dead.

Now, upon that Supreme Authority, Paul announces that the Grace of God is extended to the Galatians, and to all mankind. The “to you” literally means “to your advantage.” God’s grace is always to man’s advantage. Someone arranged the word “grace” into an acrostic: God’s Redemption At Christ’s Expense.” What could be more advantageous to us than that? God’s grace then produces “peace” in us. The psalmist had said it in Old Testament times:

“Those who love Thy law have great peace,

And nothing causes them to stumble” (Psa. 119:165).

Those who believe on the LORD Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior have a peace that cannot ultimately be distrubed. Along with that peace, Christ redeemed us from sin and its grip. All of what He did for us, He did “according to the will of our God and Father…”

Satan himself is under the supreme authority of our LORD Jesus Christ! He cannot move against us in any way unless the LORD allows it. When He does allow it, it is largely as a punishment for our lapse back into sin. Yet, even then, the glory of the LORD arises leading Paul to say, “to Whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.” What a Savior we serve! What blessing He bestows upon our lives! What then hinders us from sharing His blessing with others? “Onward and Upward” are His marching orders! Let’s get in step and get started!

Our prayers continue for you,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

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.”