The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 1:24-26, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.

25 Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,

26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested to His saints…”

There’s nothing new about suffering. It’s been with us since Cain complained that his punishment was “greater than (he) could bear.”

What’s different is having someone to rejoice in suffering –his own suffering! Yet, Paul viewed his suffering as for the Church at

Colosse. It’s reliably reported in today’s news that Christians, more than any other religious people, are encountering suffering.

Minister today are themselves involved in suffering. One has but to read Christian publications to become aware of the various kinds.

Not many, however, are rejoicing in it as was the Apostle Paul. Paul viewed his suffering as beneficial to the Church. In no way was

Paul intimating that Christ was lacking in afflictions. He simply was willing to bear suffering for the Church as Christ did at the cross.

Multiple pressures fall upon pastors today. Sometimes, just listening to the problems of parishioners becomes suffering in itself. Then, there are those committed to the pastors’ care that stray from the faith and get themselves into various troubles. To be sure, they suffer. But so do all who employ the instruction of the Spirit in the effort to bring them back to the foot of the cross in surrendering in faith to the LORD Jesus Christ.

Paul seems to suggest in the last verse (v. 26) that it is time for Christians, who are not pastors, to commit themselves to the help of

believers who have strayed from the faith, as well as sharing the plan of salvation to those who are without Christ in their lives. There

is no better time than the CHRISTmas Season to share Jesus with others. CHRISTmas is a time of love and devotion. Share love with

those with whom you come into contact. There’s so little love in the world today; and there’s NO LOVE like the LOVE of JESUS!

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.”