The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 John 2:12-17, “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.

13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.

14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

15 Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

17 And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.”

You father has a good job, lives in a modest house in the upper-middle-class area of town, and enjoys the respect of the business people of the area. Your parents involve themselves in a circle of respectable friends, and possess a nice, albeit used, automobile. Why would your father, then, not dress you and your sister appropriately? He certainly would! No well- respected man would want his children to attend church or school attired in wornout, dirty clothing.

Your Heavenly Father wants His children to look nice, too. He cleanses them from sin and puts within them the Holy Spirit, enabling them to appear as His children. He is respected all the more when others see His children morally and spiritually clean.

John writes to the fathers, the mature believers in the Church. He writes to the young men, those who have been born again, but for a much shorter period of time. He then writes to the children, those who have only recently been saved. The fathers have known the LORD for many years. The young men are growing in their faith, and becoming stronger. They can now resist the devil and the luring lusts of this world. But what about the children? If the fathers and the young men stay strong in the LORD, they will properly influence the children, and they will grow in His likeness as well.

John knows that there is nothing in this world that has the value the LORD has. In fact, he notes that “the world is passing away.” The only survivors are those who know and abide in the LORD Jesus Christ. Our world is currently involved in a dilemma that is historically unknown! Suppose this were the end of the world. Are you ready to meet Him? I am 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.”