The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

James 4:17, “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

There may not be any conclusion to any stated principle anywhere in the Bible that is more forcefully direct than the verse above. I have taken it somewhat out of its context to enable a more flexible usage to the multiple aspects it has when applied to our individual lives.

Let’s take the concept of people and put that into the equation. What is the right thing to do with regard to people? Well, of necessity time is again involved. I met and conversed with people today at Walmart. That time has now passed, so those people can no longer figure into our “right thing to do” equation. I met a new

girl working at the bank when at Walmart. Time was short there because I was not the only patron. Yet, I took time to hand her one of my Gospel Tracts entitled, “It’s Not How You Play The Game, It’s Which Team You’re On.” And I told her that I wrote it –because the of something you wrote, personalizes it and gives impetus toward reading it.

I also met a young family in a rather narrow aisle of the pharmacy section. He instructed his little girl (maybe 7) to get out of my way. I told him she won’t be in my way; then, I said, “You were once that size, weren’t you?” He smiled and answered, “Yes, I was.” I said, “The best thing you can do for your kids is to keep ‘em in Sunday School.” He immediately and quite forcefully agreed. “The problem today,” I said, “is not children; it’s the lack of good parents.” He agreed even more forcefully. Once again, people were the thing and time brought them together. Do you see how this works?

When we have the “Main Thing” in focus, time means reading, writing, working, playing, resting –all with respect to Jesus Christ, who is (or ought to be) our “Main Thing.” His Holy Spirit, who indwelled us from the moment of our repentance of sin and our faith and trust in Him, lives to direct our time and all things that vye to fill it. We need to refocus on how we use our time. If we are focused on ourselves, we will spend time doing what satisfies us alone. If, however, we are focused on Christ, the Spirit will direct and fill our time. And we will then and there know the right thing to do! For if we fail to know and do it, it will become sin to us; and then the LORD will not answer our most earnest prayers. Think about this! Keep HIM in focus – always!

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.”