The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Romans 5:1-5, “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in

hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy

Spirit who was given to us.”

How many time we have been challenged by unbelievers! “I thought Christians were supposed to be free from trouble. If Jesus is so powerful, why is your son always sick? And how come you lost your job? Now, I hear they’re foreclosing on your house. Where is your God?”

The Scripture above says that 1) we have been justified by faith, and 2) that we have peace with God. We dare not challenge the veracity of the Scriptures; yet, at the same time the troubles of life are like the rain that falls indiscriminately on both the just and the unjust. What are we to say about the troubles that befall us?

First, we are to learn that faith is our introduction into the grace of God. We were saved (born-again) by grace when we believed by faith. We continue, however, to live in a real world with real problems. Sometimes, tragedies fall on us as believers as examples to others of how Christians deal with trouble. In our verses above, Paul took the high road and said that we “exult (boast) in our tribulations” because troubles produce patience within us. Moreover, patience demonstrates character –what we’re really made of. We have hope that looks beyond these temporary trials and disappointments!

All of what we are and how we react and respond to life’s turmoil lies in the love that God has placed within us in the Holy Spirit. The pandemic that pervades our globe has created panic in many because they have no hope. Like many of others, I have been subjected to “house sequestration” and “the mask” and the “hand-washings,” et al. Yet, I have had no symptoms and have tested negatively. What’s more, the LORD knows that I am ready to leave this Earth for His glorious Heaven, if that is His intention. I live in and under the same circumstances as others, but I am not in panic! It’s not personal, human bravery. It’s the comfort and confidence I possess in the Holy Spirit.

If you don’t possess confidence in the LORD, you need to submit to Him today. Turn from sin that breeds fear, and accept Jesus Christ as your LORD and Savior today. A simple, but sincere, prayer of faith is what it takes. He hears what we say and longs to love us as one of His own. I am and will be praying for you.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Dr. Frances Collins once professed to be an atheist. Today he is a born-again Christian and heads the National Institute

of Health. Listen to his 29-minute interview with Lauren Green. It will strengthen your faith in this day of crisis.

Link: https://radio.foxnews.com/podcast/lighthouse-faith/

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.”

Dear Grands,

Romans 2:9-11, 16, “There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and

also of the Greek,

10 but glory and honor and peace to every man who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

11 For there is no partiality with God.

16.…according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.”

It seems impossible today for anyone to simply do what is right! That’s why evil prevails. Even those who are sworn to hold others accountable for doing wrong, do wrong themselves. It’s like the old addage of “the Fox guarding the chicken house.” And it’s the wink that those in charge of law and order give to wrong doing that exacerbates evil. And the proliferation of evil produces “tribulation and distress for every soul of man…”

The human author of the Letter to the Romans is himself Jewish, yet he makes no distinction regarding those who do evil. “God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.” Secrets are concealed remembrances of both good and bad thoughts and deeds. We sometimes read that “the secret was buried with him in his death.” But, it is not so! God will resurrect and reveal what man deems as “secret,” and Jesus will Himself sit in judgment over all these things.

At the same time, all the news from our passage is not bad. Those who embrace “glory and honor and peace” will be noted, and will escape divine judgment! Honest human judgements are but shadows of Christ Jesus’ coming judgment on all mankind. Still, Christ’s judgment probes much deeper into the intentions of the human soul.

I cleaned my microwave ahead of the lady who cleans my house. I thought I did acceptable work; but she found something I had overlooked. It was my embarrassment, as it will be of those who believe their works will be acceptable to Jesus Christ.

Is there any way to escape Christ’s judgment? Yes, it’s called “repentance.” It’s saying sincerely to God, “I am sorry! I have transgressed Your laws. I have engaged in evil. Please forgive me! I plead for Your strength to enable me to follow You always and forsake all that is unacceptable to You.” He will forgive you. He promises to do so. Believe Him and determine to sin no more. God bless you abundantly!

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.”

Dear Grands,

Romans 1:26-28, 32, “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the

natural function for that which is unnatural,

27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire

toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty

of their error.

28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do

those things which are not proper….

32 and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not

only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”

Have you ever known someone who always “told it like it was”? There was no mincing of words, no attempt to soften them? I’m sure you have. Truth is truth, although it is often difficult to hear. I’m sure that Paul found the very writing of these sins to be distasteful. I find them distasteful to repeat. Yet, they are the clear and unmistakably words of God in Holy Scripture. To skip them is to close one’s eyes and ears to a significant teaching of the Word.

Back in verse 19, we learned that God has placed in the heart of every person what is needed to be known about Him. It is clear and distinct. Later in the chapter (vv. 29-31), Paul notes 21 separate sins from which the LORD desires to deliver us. The sins he highlights are those that separate us morally from our Creator. In one way or another, these sins touch our lives, requiring repeated confession and repentance.

Women possess a sexual function just as men do. But the women of whom Paul spoke, misused their function with other women. They engaged in lesbian activities. Men, too, forsook women and engaged in homosexuality — activites with other men. The word “another” (???????, allelon) means “another of the same kind.”

There is a penalty (??????????, antimisthia), a negative reward for such activity. That’s one “reward” no one should want. It’s the old adage, “You can’t do wrong and get by.” Some things that are occurring in our nation today, give the appearance of law being turned on its head. We want to blame the innocent and ignore the guilty. God doesn’t play that game! In fact, God doesn’t play any game! Rather, He gives these gross sinners a “depraved” mind – a mind incapable of sound judgment. They know exactly (??????????, epiginosko) what God has said; they just choose to ignore Him. And they do so at their own peril.

The Bible teaches that the world will become increasingly evil as we near the end. Satan, the mastermind of all evil, is working “overtime” to imprison as many as possible, as the end comes closer and closer. Did you ever even imagine our Christian-founded nation falling to such levels as we’re witnessing today? It will become worse. And the worse it becomes, the closer we must become to our LORD and Savior. Stay in the Scriptures daily! Stay in prayer constantly! Watch your life! Stay focused on Christ! It will be worth it all, when Jesus Comes for His own!

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.”

Dear Grands,

Romans 1:21-25, “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they

became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,

23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and

four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored

among them.

25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator,

who is blessed forever. Amen.”

In our previous Letter, we learned that while God is Love, He possesses an inestimatibly ferocious wrath! Here we learn that God pours out His wrath upon those who do not honor Him as God. The word “honor” is the Greek ??????, doxazo from which we get our word doxology meaning honor or glory. Not only do they fail to honor Him, they don’t even give thanks for all they have received from Him.

These ungodly people are not Christian people. Their speculations of God are empty; their hearts are dark. They claim to know Him, but they are fools, totally without understanding. The word for “knew” ???????, gnontes, often means “progress in knowledge.” (There is another word ????, oida, that means “fullness of knowledge”). These to whom Paul is writing, even change the true glory, owed only unto the True God, and worship idols that have various images of far lesser creation than that of Man. Robertson, the Greek scholar, reminds us that “No people, however degraded, have yet been found without some yearning after a god, a seeking to find the true God…”

So, what is God to do? Clearly, He has made Himself known to man. He is not in hiding. Man has disavowed and dishonored Him in the lusts of their hearts. They have abandoned God’s Truth and worshiped the creatures made of their own hands. What is God to do? He gave them over to the rancid impurities of their decadent hearts. Believe it! God will give you up! Oh, He loves you; He gave you His Word, the Holy Scriptures, to incite you to make Him LORD of your life! He went to the Cross for your sins! He arose from the grave to demonstrate the completion of His Ministry of salvation on Earth. Yet, when you resist Him and turn away from Him and His love, there is nothing left for Him to do but submerge you in His wrath.

An evangelist friend of mine told of a young woman who attended his meeting one night. She was clearly upset, but did not accept Jesus at the invitation. As she left that night, my friend pleaded with her to accept Christ. She said “No, but I will be back.” Her intention may have been truthful, but she died before she could return. Don’t let yourself “play” with God. And don’t ignore Him! Coming to Him in honest faith is the most serious encounter of your life! What’s more, you may not have much time.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

important contact ever!

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.”

Dear Grands,

Romans 1:18-20, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of

men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been

clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”

My maternal grandfather was a schoolteacher and sports coach. He was also a minister of the Gospel. It’s easy, therefore, to realize that he knew what “rules” meant and what the price was for those who broke them. By all appearences T. R. was an easy-going man, who never looked for a fight with anyone. All that being said, don’t rile him with rule-breaking or you’ll truly have a fight on your hands. (And to my knowledge, he never lost.)

T. R. would object to any comparison of himself with Almighty God. Yet, in a sense, I can see somethiing of a parallel. Unquestionably, God is love. That is His chief and foremost attribute. In love, He created us all, and in love, He establishes rules by which He expects us to live. Yet, from right out of the box we engaged in a false start. We heard the buzzer and knew that we had jumped the starting gun. We were clearly in the wrong. What’s worse, we argued with the Starter and sought to supress His truth, despite it was clearly and indisputably before us.

Our sins were two-fold and there was a price to be paid. We had no right to complain as we were clearly in the wrong! We were and are without excuse! “But I thought God was a God of love,” we cried. The answer to our cry resounded in an echo: God is love, but sin is a violation of His rules; and when His rules are violated, He displays an inconceivable wrath! “But, why should the LORD be angry because we sinned? After all, we didn’t know…”

Oh, we knew all right. We “suppressed the truth” –His Truth– by being unrighteous and living unrighteously.

So, the question is: Do you want God’s Love? Or do you want God’s wrath? Turn you life over to Him! Experience His Love! Avoid His wrath! He’s The Teacher; He’s The Coach; He’s the Minister of Truth and Justice! And He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die on the Cross for our sins. On the third day, Jesus arose from the dead. Some days later, Jesus ascended into Heaven to live with His Father. He’s Coming Again soon to take His children (all born-again believers) with Him back to Heaven. Are you ready? Are your friends ready? Time is runing out….

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.”