The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 1:21-23, “And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,

22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach–

23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.”

Perhaps you read about a mother and daughter who were reconciled after many years –or a father and son, who had become estranged over a trivial family matter, and how they came together after hearing each other’s true accounts of what happened. Stories like these are multiple in daily news throughout history. So, Paul’s letter to the Greek Colossians is not altogether different.

Salvation was offered first to the Jews; then, when they rejected it, the Gospel was offered to the Greeks (Rom. 1:16; Acts 18:6). It was the Greeks who were “formerly alienated,” self-excluded from the way of salvation. The Greeks were also “hostile in mind,” they hated the thought of salvation. At first, they did not want or think they needed the spiritual life that was offered. Yet, in time, they came to value it.

They heard the Gospel, repented of their sins, and were reconciled to God! Why would God save them? So that they could be holy (sacred) without even spots of moral deficiency and “beyond reproach” (blameless) and presentable to Him. Would you ever consider meeting the Mayor of your town, or the Governor of your state, or the President if you were wearing a dirty shirt or unshined shoes? Of course not! Why, then, would you think of meeting the King of Kings and LORD of Lords with unconfessed sin in your life?

You won’t need to worry about such a situation with respect to the LORD, IF you continue to be faithful and continue to hold to hope (future certainty) that is displayed for you in the Bible! But don’t get proud –only thankful—because this same Gospel is not exclusively yours. It was and is being proclaimed to nations throught all creation. Paul knows, because he was called to be a minister of this Truth. And you know what? –so were you and I.

May our Blessed LORD Jesus keep you prepared and sharing His witness,

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.”