The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Thessalonians 1:6-8, “For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,

7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,

8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”

It’s a serious thing to be accused of doing wrong when you are wrong. It’s even worse when you’re accused of doing wrong when you’re not. It happens to all of us; but what are we to do? Paul says that “God will repay” those who have wrongly accused us. We’re just to keep on doing what He’s set forth in the Bible for us to do. He will then “run interference” for us as it is needed.

At the same time, He will afflict [????? (thlibo, press, distress)] others just as they have afflicted us. Remember those instances where you have been accused of things you’ve not done? What were you to do? Just leave it all in the LORD’s Hands. His affliction on your behalf is far greater than anything you could do? And when your accusers discover that you’ve not retaliated against them, they will draw the conclusion that the LORD has vindicated you.

“But when is He going to come to my rescue?” you ask. When He is “revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,” is the answer. At that time, He will deal with all who have not obeyed His Gospel. Paul also wrote,

“Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God

For it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the LORD” (Rom. 12:19).

Part of our problem with wanting to avenge ourselves is the selfish satisfaction of “getting back” at others. But how are we to win them to faith in Christ if we behave in the same manner as they? Treating in love those who have treated us in hatred shames them and causes them to reflect on what they had done. Coming at them with vengeance simply increases and justifies in their sight the hatred they previously showed. In that case, the LORD simply says, “Okay, if you think you can do better than I can, just go for it!” When He is not there to avenge us, we’re left alone to suffer. Is that what we want? I truly don’t think so.

Prayerfully yours in Christ,

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.”