The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Romans 13:8-9, “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

9 For this, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

The tragedy of today’s massacre in El Paso, Texas was enormous! The death toll, as of this writing is 20 dead and 26 injured. Far too many of our cities have experienced such tragedies. Killings have become epidemic! Everything is blamed on “race” or “skin color.” Yet, parents are killing their children; children are killing their parents! And random killers are taking the lives of the innocent, whom they’ve never met.

Hatred permeates the world-at-large! People seem to randomly select anything or anyone upon whom they can vent their wrathful hatred! Governmental officials always plead for prayers for the victims, which is commendable; but, where are the prayers before the victims become victims? Is there an answer to these tragedies? If so, what is that answer and from whom does the answer come?

Paul’s time experienced tragedies, too. The world has not been truly safe since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. Moreover, the Bible says that such times will come as the end of the world approaches. Compare what occurred today in El Paso with the “tragedy” I encountered as a child when I learned that a woman who lived across the street — smoked!!! I’m not treating either as cavalier, but I am

saying that sin has become more rampant as the years go by!

Well, what do we do? First, we must cool the rhetoric. Smart aleck responses are not helpful. Just because some people delight in conflict, does not make it right or healing. Second, we need to pray for those, whose lives are infiltrated and infested with demonic intentions. Commendably , the El Paso police and firemen were at the scene in six minutes, but a blanket of prayer would have been faster still. Third, we need to share the Gospel with everyone! Who knows who is potentially the next shooter? Sharing the Good News of Jesus is the only antidote to such heinous and despicable crime.

What do we owe our neighbors? We owe them love –Christ’s love, depicted in our lives as we endeavor to

meet their needs as best as we are able. We must not cower and refuse to engage in normal activities. We must die to ourselves and trust the LORD, who instructs us to love and share the Gospel with all mankind.

Pray for the believers in El Paso! Pray that they may witness well to their neighbors. Revivals come from sincere and loving prayers!

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.”