The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Coninthians 11:22-28, “Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.

23 Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if insane) I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.

24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.

25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.

26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;

27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches.”

Once I finished school, I found I had to present the transcript that demonstrated that what I had learned in school had prepared me to do the job for which I was applying. Not always did a potential employer see the actual, official transcript, but there had to always be something official to back up my contention that I was prepared to accomplish what they were hiring me to do.

Such was the way with the Apostle Paul. No, he didn’t always rehearse the difficulties he had conquered en route to where he was he was headed. But there are always times and people who need such information, if only to “cover” themselves if you or I don’t achieve the requirements employers expect and demand.

In the verses above, Paul cites the following:

1. His physical birth and ancestral heritage (v. 22)

2. His spiritual birth and physical impairments (vv. 23-25)

3. His multiple and diversified dangers (v. 26)

4. His physical labors and hardships (v. 27)

5. His heavy mental and emotional pressures (v. 28)

Let me challenge you to read those seven verses again. Read them slowly. If you’ve read much of the New Testament, you will commence to think of the times and places where many of these troubles occurred. You might ask, “Why are you wanting us to read those verses again? And why are we to read them slowly? Those are fair questions; let me answer them the best I can.

First, we need to understand that these are not mere lines on a page in a book. These are REAL dangers, some of which are being experienced by Christians today –right while you are reading! Second, we need to compare the heavy burden Paul bore, with what little we encounter when we seek to witness. Paul ultimately gave his life for preaching the Gospel. We often get discouraged and feel upset when someone smirks at our witness and cracks a smart remark that hurts our feelings.

Try making a transcript of your spiritual work for the LORD. List in one column on your paper the times you remember being ridiculed and laughed at and endured snide remarks. List in the other column what Paul notes of his persecutions. THERE IS NO COMPARISON between the two! It may be time we quit feeling sorry for ourselves and actually get into the battle! I can guarantee you that you will not be alone –unless you forget the LORD who fights by your side!

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.”