The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 2:3-7, “…but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.

3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;

4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts.

5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed– God is witness–

6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.

7 But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.”

Recently a tenured professor was dismissed from a Christian university alledgedly for revealing that some of his colleagues were teaching heresy instead of truth. The professor alleges that they were teaching annihlism, which is that Hell is not forever and those thereto assigned will suffer only a short time until they eternally die. The British Anglican scholar, the late John Stott, taught this as truth and has garnered some disciples who now avow the same, despite its contradiction with the Scriptures.

Paul, however, said that his exortation did not come from error or impurity or deceit. It was pre-approved by God; and further, he did not preach to please men, but to glorify the LORD who saved and called him into the ministry. His speech was not intended to flater and please his hearers. In fact, it often caused him difficulty, as his hearers did not want to hear what he had to say. Some pastors today move from church-to-church in the effort to increase their salaries.

God is Paul’s witness that he did not do any of that! In fact, Paul often suffered loss of material possessions and refused to call upon his fellow-believers for help, although as an Apostle, he could have easily exercised his authority and done so. Instead, Paul dealt with other believers in a gentle fashion, like a nursing mother cares for her child.

It has been a long time since anyone became angry at me for sharing the Gospel. Perhaps it’s because I’ve learned how to share it more lovingly and less obtrusively. Maybe, too, its because I’ve passed up opportunities that the LORD put in my pathway. In any event, we must endeavor to clearly understand the teaching of Scripture and share it carefully, so that no one outside of Christ could misunderstand. Whatever happens as a result is then in the LORD’s own hands. Yet, we must not fail to do His will in reaching others.

Do you miss opportunities the LORD has given you? Is reaching the lost the most important thing in your life? If not, why not? I read the obituaries every day, and there are notices of the deaths of all ages. The worst “hell” a believer can suffer is hearing the ones we missed shouting, “No man cared for my soul.”

Prayerfully endeavoring to witness and win,

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.”