The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ephesians 4:1-7, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love,
3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”

Have you ever been a prisoner? Before you answer that question, you would do well to ask, “A prisoner of what?” If you have been arrested for disobeying the law of the land, you should be ashamed. If, however, you are a prisoner of the LORD, you have every reason to be thankful. Paul is not boasting. This would not be “a manner worthy” of his calling.”

The times were not easy then, as they are not easy now for us. We most likely think our times demand toughness. Stand up and be counted! But, Paul calls for patience. He urges the Ephesian believers to be humble and gentle. He urges them to suffer in patience and bear with one another in love. This will preserve unity among the believers. The Christian faith today is seriously fragmented. Even those denominations that were once viewed as lovingly bound together in the faith, are now openly divided before a lost and dying world.

Like an army that is fighting for the preservation of its nation, the Church must be united in purpose and in battle. We do not carry guns; we carry the Sword of the Spirit –Word of the Living God! We do not look to the annihilation of souls; we look to their transformation through faith in the Son of God, the LORD Jesus Christ.

“But, I’m not able,” you say. “That’s the pastors’ job. He’s trained for that kind of battle.” Do soldiers leave all fighting to the generals? Does the Captain of the ship physically fire all the guns? Even so, the leaders and officers of the Church need their people to witness in love to those who live outside of Christ. Yes, the leaders are witnesses, too. “But to each one of us, grace (has been) given,” according to the position Christ has assigned us. Are you a loving, faithful witness for Christ Jesus? He needs you to be; and He will reward you one day, according to your faithfulness.

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