The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 John 1:1-3, “The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth,

2 for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”

Have you ever received a letter that failed to have an address? Did you ever receive a letter where the designated recipient was in doubt? “Greetings to you” doesn’t really say to whom the letter is addressed, does it? Well, this is somewhat our dilemma with John’s Second Letter. John, of course, is the “elder,” but who is “the chosen lady and her children?” Maybe we don’t need to know; otherwise, John would have named the person to whom it is sent.

More importantly, John is writing “for the sake of the truth,” which involves you and me. The truth of which he speaks is the truth of God’s Word which “abides (makes its home in our hearts and lives)” and will never leave us.

The trilogy John mentions in verse three is also contained in Paul’s Pastoral Epistles. Grace (charis), which someone has termed “God’s Redemption At Christ’s Expense,” is what covers man’s sin. Mercy (eleos) is that which takes the hurt out.

And peace (charis) is the rest the heart and soul experience when grace and mercy have been applied. That explains why we

feel better when we have confessed sin and received the LORD’s forgiveness.

It’s vitally important that we remember that grace, mercy and peace all come from God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and that they come wrapped in His matchless love! I do sincerely hope that you have received this gift from the LORD. If you have, you will be assured through the peace that you are experiencing. If you have not received His forgiveness, you can receive it right now! Just pray sincerely to the LORD, asking Him to forgive you of all your sins. You don’t have to beg Him for forgiveness, because He loves you and wants to forgive you more that even you want to be forgiven. You’ll never be sorry for trusting Him as LORD and Savior of your life. I will be praying for you.

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.”