The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Hebrews 13:1-2, “Let love of the brethren continue.

2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

2 John 1:10-11, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;

11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.”

Barclay reminds us of Jewish hospitality: “The Jews had a saying: ‘There are six things the fruit of which a man eats in this world and by which his horn is raised in the world to come.’ And the list begins: ‘Hospitality to the stranger and visiting the sick.’”

We were walking in Jerusalem and had somehow lost our way. I sauntered up the walkway and knocked on the door, intending only to ask directions. The woman who answered the door, came down from a ladder where she was working. She smiled, invited us into the house, had us to be seated, and served us hot tea. Then, the man of the house smiled warmly and asked, “Now what can we do for you?” All of that for a small, simple question: “How do we get to _____?” That’s REAL hospitality! We were not angels, and our erstwhile hosts were not Jews! They were Arabs! Yet the hospitality was the same.

But, how does the hospitality factor in Hebrews 13:2 work with John’s solemn warning in 2 John 1:10-11? They are not contradictory! John is speaking of one who is known to be an adversary of the LORD’s truth. Don’t show him the hospitality that Paul is advocating in the Hebrews verse. This person is not a friend of the LORD; thus, his beliefs and teachings are contrary to Holy Scripture. To the true believer, you say, “Come in.” To the unbeliever (or one whose beliefs are not known to you), you speak with him outside your door.

Dr. Adrian Rogers had a good grasp of such situations. When known adversaries came to his door, he said: “I will listen to you for 20 minutes if you will listen to me for 20 minutes.” They left and did not return.

Your home is your last bastian of safety. Protect it against all ungodly intruders at all costs! Remember, it’s a biblical directive!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

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.”