The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 13:11, “11 Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace
shall be with you.”

Most of us have heard speakers who can wax eloquently for some time and say virtually nothing. Not so with Paul. In this verse that closes the door on this entire epistle, Paul gives important instruction to the Corinthian believers and to us. He gives us five directives and closes with the assurrence of the LORD’s comfort and blessing.

The time in which we live does not lend itself easily to rejoicing. Yet, we are dutifully instructed to rejoice. We are not instructed to rejoice that life is difficult, or that the world is in turmoil with little to commend it. Rather, we are to rejoice that we are not ultimately of this world amd that a great and glorious time.is coming for those who are committed to Jesus Christ. Our purposed placement in this life is to be like Christ; and we are not complete until we fully become what He created and saved us to become.

We are also to “be comforted” both by accepting and abiding in the Apostle’s directive. Comfort comes when we abide restfully trusting in Christ, and when we are living in peace and unity with other believers. We often allow the magnification of others’ follies to depress us and lead us into conflict. We are instructed, however, to live in peace with one another, which then allows the love and peace of our LORD to live and fully abide in us.

Do we want to know and live in peace? The LORD has given us the key through the Apostle’s revelation. Let us practice those elements of his instruction, and trust the LORD further to lead us to live and express His love to others. That’s the key –the only key– to peace in our time.

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