The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philippians 3:15-19, “Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a

different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;

16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.

18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of

Christ,

19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on

earthly things.”

Did you ever in your life hear as much about “testing” as you’re hearing today? What kind of test? Who is evaluating the tests? Test, test, test! I’m certainly not against testing, and I’m not criticizing tests or those who administer them. Hering it so often just kind of numbs the mind.

Paul certainly was thinking about tests when he wrote the verses above. “As many as are perfect (???????, teleios, mature, have reached completion), have this attitude (??????, phroneo, understanding)” –the same attitude as that of the apostle. And if you have a differing attitude, the LORD will reveal it to you. We all need to submit to His testing, because Jesus is the True Standard of Measurement.

All of this brings to mind a little boy who said to his mother, “Mom, I’m as tall as Goliath.” She smiled, and said,

“You’re just a small boy. Goliath was 9 feet, 6 inches tall.”

“But, Mom,” he replied, “I made myself a yardstick and I measured myself; and I’m as tall as Goliath.” It was indeed a “test,” but it was not a proper standard.

Not everyone is following the standard of the LORD. Some are actually enemies (??????, echthros, hostile) of the Cross. Watch out! They may be popular; they may pastor huge congregations; they may have many books to sell; but they don’t preach the Gospel. They are enemies, hostile to the ways and teachings of our LORD. Popularity, and what some call “success,” are not the ways of the LORD. Have you not observed how genuinely humble Jesus was? He even had only one garment to His name!

Those who honor only themselves as gods are enemies of the Cross of Christ. They will ultimately be destroyed! Their “glory” will diminish and ultimately fade away because their minds are only on earthly trinkets. They fail the true test.

Have you been tested? Perhaps you are being tested now. I sense that testing in my life. Is everything I do in accord

with the way of the LORD? Are my thought-processes in keeping with His glory? The virus of sin is everywhere! Only

Jesus is our perservation! Study His Word! Spend precious time in prayer! Let your life be lived for Him! He will help

you prepare for the final exam. And I will be praying for each of you as you take His test.

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.”