The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Timothy 3:8-12, “And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected as regards the faith.

9 But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, as also that of those two came to be.

10 But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance,

11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord delivered me!

12 And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

Have you ever wondered why some Christians seem never to suffer while other Christians are always being persecuted? Well, it’s nothing new. But there is an answer to the question, and Paul will give it to us in a moment.

Who in the world are Jannes and Jambres? you ask. If you really want to know, look at Exodus 7:10-12:

So Moses and Aaron came to Pharaoh, and thus they did just as

the LORD had commanded; and Aaron threw his staff down before

Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh

also called for the wise men and the sorcerers, and they also, the

magicians of Egypt, did the same with their secret arts. 12 For each

one threw down his staff and they turned into serpents. But Aaron’s

staff swallowed up their staffs.

Paul is drawing a comparison between the sorcers of Moses’ time and men of depraved minds, who reject faith in Christ even today. Some reject Christ today, just as some rejected Moses’ instruction in his day. Yet, the ultimate power of God cannot be smothered by the power of the devil.

Paul commends believers who follow his instruction, his conduct, his purpose, faith, patience, love, and perseverance even, alongside persecution and suffering. Do you remember the first question I asked above, where Paul says boldly that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (v. 12). Well, there are some who live “on the edge” in order to escape persecution! Just imagine! Think of how greatly Christ suffered to bring us salvation; and then think of some saying “thanks” by living worldly in order to escape ridicule and harassment.

How do you live? Why do you live the way you do? Are you afraid of persecution? Don’t you believe that God’s power can deliver you? Soldiers who are afraid of battle are not worthy of the uniform.

Be strong! Trust the LORD! Dare to live for His glory! There’s a great day coming for those who do.

I am praying for your strength, as I pray for my own.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Nurse Haley Marie Jeffries is currently in Quito, Equador caring for

the sick and sharing her faith in Jesus Christ. Please pray for Haley

and her fellow nurses.

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.”