The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philippians 2:19-22, “But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition.

20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.

21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.

22 But you know of his proven worth that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.”

In Longfellow’s poem, The Courtship of Miles Standish, Captain Miles Standish asks his friend John Alden to propose marriage to Priscilla on his behalf. Ever the faithful friend, John goes to visit Priscilla and does as requested, even though he is in love with her himself. Priscilla guesses John’s true feelings for her and declares, “Why don’t you speak for yourself, John?”

In the last Grands Letter, we looked at the importance of “attitude.” Intentionally or not on his part, Paul continues that theme, only

he looks at the situation from the standpoint of the one in authority. Paul is imprisoned at this time in his life, and while he would love

to visit the Philippian Church, he has decided to send Timothy in his place. Why Timothy? Simply because he possesses a “kindred spirit.” Timothy is like Paul in that he is genuinely concerned for their welfare.

While the two above paragraphs lack a smidgen similarity, they both show genuine concern for others. Being the shy person that I am,

let me boldly ask you: “How concerned are you for those around you who are in need?” Do you pray for them? Do you share the Word with them? How concerned are you? Are you aware that the Scriptures teach, “…unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Lk 13:3, 5); and that that verse speaks directly of some of your friends?

When the LORD saves us, we are committed to Him and His purpose. He doesn’t call all of us to the same vocation in life, but He does call each of us to share His death, burial, and resurrection with those who do not know Him. To some, that means missions; to others,

Is may mean medicine or pastoral ministry or business. He calls us to various job-positions in life in order that we may come in contact

with others, who need His saving grace, and might not hear it otherwise. Let’s ask ourselves: Are we “of proven worth”? or are we seeking after our own material interests instead of the eternal interests of Jesus Christ? Seeing that Heaven and Hell both exist, what

is more important, His interest or ours?

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.”