The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 20:32-35, “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
33 “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes.
34 “You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me.
35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”

The apostle Paul is coming to the end of his ministry. He is hurrering to Jerusalem that he might be there in time for the feast of Pentecost. I suppose it’s natural when one is coming to the end of his ministry that he should be drawn closer to those he loves. Yet, despite Paul’s love for his friends, his love for the LORD –his LORD! — exceeded his love for his friends. He longs to meet Jesus again. I say “again,” because their first encounter was on the Damascus Road, an encounter not to be forgotten for it altered his life completely!

Now, as he approaches the end of his ministry –and his life—he encourages those whom he loved supremely to stand by the faith that was delivered to the believers themselves. Stop being preoccupied with what you have received! Start thinking of the privilege you have in sharing it with others! It IS more blessed to give than to receive. If you doubt that, you have failed to notice the thought and time and effort others have sacrificed for you.

Yet, beyond the apostle himself, and the avalanche of truth and love he poured out upon others, the preeminent focus is upon the gift of the LORD Jesus Christ Himself; for it was He who went to the cross for the sins of humanity –your sins and mine! Let those who willfully reject Him maintain their focus upon whatever the world has to offer. Let our focus ever and always be upon Him, who gave Himself for us and forgave our sin.

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable (inexpressible) gift” (2 Cor. 9:15).

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