The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Corinthians 13:11-13, “When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I

became a man, I did away with childish things.

12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also

have been fully known.

13 But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

All of the Bible is the infallable Word of God, Old and New Testament alike. Just remember, “The New is in the Old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed.” There are, however, some key chapters in the New Testament that just stand out, as it were, head and shoulders above the others. This 13TH chapter of First Corinthians is one of those chapters. Let me challenge you to read the 10 verses that precede our three verses in this Letter.

Paul is going to emphasize love. He initiates his thoughts by referring to how he lived as a child. “ The word he uses is ??????, nepios, meaning an infant, a baby. At that time, he talked in baby Greek, and he possessed limited understanding of all things. He was no different than you or me (except for the Greek!). In time, he grew to manhood, and abolished those child-like things. Adulthood knows more than childhood, but it still doesn’t know everything.

There will come a day when we, like Paul, will know everything as completely as the LORD knows us right now. For the time being, however, the three most important things to know and know fully are wrapped up in three powerful words: faith, hope and love. Faith is “conviction based upon hearing.” I spoke to a man today about his need for Christ. When what he heard results in spiritual conviction of his sin, he will sense the need to exercise faith toward Christ as his Savior. Hope is a “favorable and confident anticipation of the future.” One who has come to believe upon Jesus, looks forward to His Return for His people.

Yet, above both faith and hope is love. Agape “describes the attitude of God toward His Son.” It also describes the LORD’s attitude toward the whole human race, but especially toward those who have accepted His Son as their LORD and Savior. It is this kind of love (a giving without even a thought of reciprocity) that He wants to see us show to others. They may argue with your doctrinal beliefs, but they cannot squelch their observation of your love. And in our demonstration of genuine, spiritual love, God Himself is glorified. He loves us that we may love Him in return! How much do you love Him? How much does it show?

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Please continue to pray for the salvation of New Yorker, Whitney Tilson, who first encountered Christian love from Samaritan’s

Purse people.

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.”