The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Romans 15:5-7, “Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the

same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus;

6 that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.”

Did you ever read after a writer or listen to a speaker who seemed to be saying the same thing he had just said? Yes, we call it repetition; but why is it repeated so often? Just think about it. You may have missed several other points, but you remember the one that was repeated. Now, do you know why the writer or speaker said it so often? Right! So you would remember!

Paul had just used the words “perseverance and encouragement” in verse four in yesterday’s Letter. Today he uses them again that you “might be of the same mind” as other believers. Why do I say “as other believers”? How do I know that’s what he means? There are two Greek words that translate the same in English, but stand in opposition in their meaning. The word is “another.” ?????os (allelos) means “another of the same kind” (Rom. 1:27), while ?????? (heteros) means “another of a different kind” (Rom. 2:1).

But, why does God give us “perseverance and encouragement”? He does so that we might “with one accord (mind) be in unity with one another in glorifying “God the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ.” A cursory study of almost any Old Testament prophecy writings will show how often the Jewish people were divided in their worship. Evil kings promoted worship of pagan gods, which directed the Jews away from their true God. The same can be true of Christians, if we leave the Scriptural pathway.

We are to “accept one another” (of the same beliefs) that they with us might glorify the LORD with the same, vibrant voice of heart-felt praise! The more I read His Word, the more I concentrate on ministers, who live in the Word and are sound in their teachings, the closer I become to Christ, and, hopefully, the more like Him I become. It’s a continuous lifestyle that makes Him more precious every day.

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.”