The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 6:4-10, “…in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger,
6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,
7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,
8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true;
9 as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death,
10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.”

One of the opportunities I enjoyed as a teacher was that of writing commendatory letters on behalf of some truly fine students. More often than not, the letters were to other universities, where the students hoped to continue their studies for an advanced degree. Something like that is what Paul is indicating in the first verse of our Scripture above. The difference was that there was no one to write for Paul; he had to commend himself. He was, however, a truly invaluable servant of the LORD Jesus Christ.

The proof of his servanthood lay in the abundance of sufferings he endured for the LORD and for His cause. He was beaten, imprisoned, had innumerable troubles, labors, insomnia, distresses, hunger. Not everything he endured, however, was distasteful. He experienced good times in study and patience and kindnesses and genuine love –all Spirit produced.

Paul lived in the Word of Truth and witnessed in the power of Almighty God. Fighting in spiritual warfare with weapons of righteousness, Paul found the LORD’s provisions more than adequate. He experienced glory and suffered dishonor. He enjoyed good reports and endured evil reports. He experienced deep sorrow, yet kept on rejoicing! He was poor, yet he made others rich in the same spiritual blessings he received. He possessed nothing, and yet possessed everything of value and benefit.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we need to focus on how to live the Christian life. We often wish we possessed things like others possess; yet what we do possess is of far greater value. Be content with what you currently have! There will be a day when the LORD will rate “all things” according to their true worth.

Only one life; it will soon be past;
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

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