The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 1:6-10, “You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the Word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

8 For the Word of the LORD has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.

9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,

10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

“What are you doing dressed in those clothes? Those aren’t yours!” Most of us have, at some time, heard a question like this. We had dressed up in some of Dad’s (or Mom’s) clothes. Why? because we wanted to be just like them; and the closest we could get was to don some of their clothes.

Paul was reminding the Thessalonian Christians that they had been imitators (mimetes, mimics) first of Paul and his companions, but then of LORD. That’s how it should be. If we are living closely to Christ, we will absorb His attributes. Those who see us will see Him in us and will want to be like Him themselves. At that point, they will themselves become examples of Christ and bring others to faith in Him.

When we become examples of Jesus Christ, the lost don’t need anyone to tell them of the change in our lives. They can see it for themselves. And what joy when we see those who have served idols (money, pleasure, drinking, sex) –when we see them turn from the evil pleasures of this world to serve the true and living God. For they have learned that He is Coming, the very One who was crucified and buried and raised from the dead. And He is the very One who delivers us from “the wrath to come.”

We don’t need to dress up and pretend we’re anyone. We have a totally new life and are dressed in the righteousness of the LORD Jesus Himself. We want others to see Him in us and come to know Him as their LORD, too. Believe me, there is no greater joy!

We pray that you may know Him fully,

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.”