The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Galatians 1:1-5, “Paul, an apostle (not sent from men, nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),

2 and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ,

4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

5 to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.”

It has been many, many years ago, but I still remember the insurance man, who came regularly to collect for our policies. I was quite small, but somewhat aggressive, so he and I quickly became “pals.” He used to say that I would be a preacher; but, like Paul (and this is the closest I ever got to Paul!), I was “not sent from men or through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father.”

Today, perhaps more importantly than any previous time in history, it’s important to know that the man who declares God’s Word to us week-by-week has been called by God and not because ministers enjoy prestige in their communities. His messages must be true to Scripture, and not generated from the writings of some popular, celebrated men of the cloth.

Grace (?????) here is a greeting, blessings. “To you” expresses the value advantaged to the hearer of what is about to be said. Peace (??????), according to Danker, is a “condition with focus on personal relationships relating especially to acceptance of one another in common objectives.”

But, how does all of this accrue to the benefit of the Galatians, who were an “on again, off again” type of people? Grace and peace are to them what they are to us: for we, and the culture in which we live, is as spasmodic as were the Galatians. In verse six, Paul even says, “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him, who called you by the grace of Christ…” Ever feel like that? Joy one minute; anger the next? How is that “Christ-like?”

Christ died and shed His blood and became His Father’s Sacrifice for our sins! Christ came to deliver us out of this evil-producing, God-denying world! His death on the Cross was the express will of His Heavenly Father. Imagine your earthly father giving you up as a sacrifice!! And fathers, imagine giving your son up as a death offering to Almighty God!! Yet, Paul concludes by saying, “to Whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.”

Dear friend, we are all wonderfully and purposely given life that you might be “to the praise and glory” of our LORD Jesus Christ. Are you living like He intends? I pray earnestly that we are!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Haley Marie Jeffries and her cadre of nursing sisters are safely back in the

United States. We all thank the LORD for the safe travel and ministry

among the Ecuadorian people.

Heather Jeffries is with a group of young people in youth camp in Illinois

this week. We will appreciate your prayers for her as she feeds on His

Word and makes new Christian friends.

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.”