The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 12:1-5, “Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the

Lord.

2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago– whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know,

God knows— such a man was caught up to the third heaven.

3 And I know how such a man– whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows–

4 was caught up into Paradise, and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

5 On behalf of such a man will I boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.”

Maybe you’ve heard of the young college man who published two novels while still in school. The title of one was,

The Most Humble Man on Campus –and Why I Am. His second book was published just a year leater, while still

studying for his baccalaureate degree, was entitled, My Humility And How I Achieved It. Neither was well received.

The Apostle Paul knew the futility of boasting, and while he allowed that it was sometimes necessary, it was never profitable. There are numerous interpretations of the passage above, but my investigation has led me to believe that

Paul himself was the “man in Christ” to whom he secretly alludes. Whether it physically happened or was a spiritual vision, he avows he does not know. So, we must rest it there.

The fourteen years, however, Paradise, and the third heaven, we must acknowledge were all physical and spiritual in nature. Did not Jesus Himself say to the penitant thief on the cross, “Today, you will be with Me in Paradise”? Paul acknowledges that while he does not have clarity regarding everything that happened on that occurrence, he heard

words that reached beyond his understanding; and for that reason, he was not allowed to repeat them.

Many saints throughout Christian history have experienced phenomenal events and have shared them only with family and close friends. Never, however (at least in my research), did any one of them ever boast or brag about their experience. They were solemn and sacred occurrances, thus they were held quietly awau from the ears of the general public, and revealed by others only upon the death of the one who experienced them.

I am an expert on nothing –especially, with respect to humility; yet, I know from experience that some encounters I have had could have only come from the LORD. Scripture teaches us that the LORD Jesus Christ alone is to receive praise for all godliness. So, when we encounter some spectacular event for which we cannot give a rational spiritual explanation, we must let it go and simply give quiet and humble praise to the LORD for allowing us to experience His hand in the spectacular. Whatever else you do, please don’t write a book! God is capable of making things known. Just give Him the Glory!

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.”