The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Timothy 1:15-17, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.

16 And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

It was characteristic of the evening service in a church I once pastored, that members of the congregation were encouraged to stand and quote a Scripture passage that was meaningful to them. One elderly gentleman, a long-time member and Sunday School teacher, stood and quoted verse 15 –or part of it.

He said, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” Then he sat down. Being somewhat shy as I am (tsk, tsk), I immediately said, “Finish It brother. It says, “…among whom I am foremost of all.” To my amazement, the man retorted, “Paul said that, I didn’t!”

Sometimes we view ourselves equal to or even above those who lived in biblical times. We want to claim all the spiritual attributes of those who went before us, but none of the deficient qualities of their lives. It is the LORD’s will that we who are saved, might show how patient the LORD is with us, though we deserve none of His patience or of His grace. But He did it all to demonstrate to others His love for them, bringing them into eternal life.

Paul’s prayer was that “to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God be honor and glory forever and ever.” Notice His title, King; His endurance, eternal; His uniqueness, immortal, the only God; His invisibility, right to be honored and glorified throughout eternity without end.

Is this how you see the LORD’s Life? Is it His will that you be like Him or like the rest of the fallen creation? No, we’re not equal to God; nor are we likely to even minutely reach toward that supreme level of righteousness. Yet, what He has granted us, enabling us to magnify His Name and His Love, is far beyond what we could muster concerning ourselves. His Word is given to instruct us how to live as He lived. When we meet Him, we’ll have the opportunity to tell Him why we did or did not do what He desired. Are we ready to meet Him? Are our hands and our heads clean? Have we been busy magnifying His love and glory?

We pray that we all are,

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.”