The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Romans 15:18-21, “For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed,
19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
20 And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man’s foundation;
21 but as it is written, ‘They who had no news of Him shall see, And they who have not heard shall understand.’”

Many of you reading this Letter, know that my late wife and our family ministered for several years in Australia, New Zealand,
and many Asian countries. We have often been labeled as “missionaries.” While none of us have ever objected to this designation, technically a missionary is someone who shares the Word of Jesus Christ where He has not previously been known. All of the countries where we ministered had previously been “missionized.” Paul makes this distinction in our verses above. Further, we will join with Paul in saying that everything accomplished through our ministry was of Him, not of us!

Things accomplished that produce faith in Christ are always His accomplishments. Just as a water faucet does not give forth water without someone’s hand activating it, so the blessings of Christ are only produced as He utilizes His people in the process.
No matter where you live, you live among people who do not truly know Christ in personal salvation.

I live among some wonderful neighbors, but not all of them know Jesus Christ. The question, “Are you a Christian?” often elicits the reply, “I go to a Christian church” or “I am Baptist” or “I am Catholic” or “I’m Jewish” or simply, “I believe in God.” Certainly, we live in countries that allot every individual the right to worship as he pleases. But the Scriptures reveal a wide gap between mere church attendance or membership, and being personally committed to Jesus Christ by faith. It is Paul’s prayer (and ours) they who have no personal relationship with Christ might come to know and trust Him by faith. Check your life. Do you know Him? If not, trust Him as your LORD and Savior today! And if you already know Him, it is your responsibility to share Him with those who do not.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom