The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 3:7-12, “You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;
9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
10 For, “THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.
11 “HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.
12 “FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.”

If any of you read yesterday’s Letter and felt that Simon Peter was laying it on women rather heavily, today he instructs the men, the husbands. Men are to deal tenderly with their wives. Christian women are “heirs of the grace of life” just like their husbands. That is to say that the LORD looks with favor upon women just as He does with their husbands. Warning to men: Failure to deal warmly and kindly with your wife hinders your prayers from being answered.

Peter summarizes it all when he says, “…be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit.” That’s the positive side. Here’s the negative: Don’t return “evil for evil or insult for insult…” Peter understood what it meant for a man and his wife to argue. He was a married man (Mk1:30), and understood the difficulties resident within the household.

Yet, I think he had both husband and wife in mind when in verse 9-12 he said, “…not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.” It’s virtually impossible to keep arguing if the other person quits! Getting the last word isn’t always winning. Certainly, it’s not from God’s point of view! The LORD always gets the final word!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Please don’t argue. One day your mate will be gone, and you’ll regret that you argued
at all.

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

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 3:1-6, “In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,
2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.
3 Your adornment must not be merely external– braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses;
4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands;
6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.”

With all of the role misguidance that abounds within the human race these days, it seems appropriate that we carefully examine what the Word of God says regarding the LORD’s will in such matters. He has a role for the women and a role for the men. When the roles become fuzzy, the children become confused about their own behavior. That seems largely to be where we are in today’s world.

In any situation involving more than one person, one of the two has to be the authority. For many, the very word authority translates as “boss” or “tyrant.” Yet, clearly that is not to be the translation here. Rather, when there is a difference of opinion, the wife is to be submissive. That is not to say that the husband is always right; nor is it to say that the wife has absolutely no right to differ with her husband. She, too, is made in the image of God.

The husband is the one the LORD holds responsible for the results of the decisions. A wise husband will consult with his wife in all major decisions that effects them and their children. The wife’s observance of the “chaste and respectful behavior” of her husband will prompt her to love and respect him all the more.

Peter does not belittle the external adornment of the wife; but he emphasizes that “imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit” that is “precious in the sight of God.” Further, Peter reminds his readers that “Sarah obeyed Abraham,” voluntarily calling him “lord” (master).

What delight reigns in the home that follows this Scriptural instruction! The children will notice the arrangement and become positioned for their own roles when they marry. As the home goes, so goes the nation!

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

Dear Grands,

2 Timothy 3:12-15, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

We are living in times that are deluged with trouble! Problems of all kinds – physical, economic, spiritual – seem to abound without cessesion! We try to do right and live godly lives, but pressures from everywhere seem to be upon us! Is there an answer or are we just to put up with things that lean heavily against us?

You’ve heard the expression, “There’s no rest for the wicked”? The Apostle Paul tells us here that there is no rest from the wicked. Those who desire to live righteous lives will be especially persecuted, things just going from worse to worse. What are we to do in times like these?

The teaching here from Paul is that we should “continue in the things (we) have learned,” starting “from childhood” — from parents, grandparents, Godly teachers in school, but especially from the Bible! “Wisdom” is knowing how to live righteously amid a godless, sinful world. And it is that wisdom that leads us to “salvation through faith…in Jesus Christ.”

If you have come to know Christ in a personal, spiritual way, you already have His strength and power to overcome troubles. If you have yet to come to faith in Him, you’re still able, although time is quickly running out! Get your Bible and start reading the New Testament, especially the Gospel of John! Then, offer an earnest prayer to God, committing yourself to Him. He always hears! What’s more, He answers sincere and earnest prayer!

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

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 2:20-23, “For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;
23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously…”

Were you ever seriously and severely punished? How did you take it? Were you patient, or did you yell threats at your punisher? It probably depended upon whether or not you were guilty. If you were guilty, you knew that you were simply getting what you deserved. But, what would have been your attitude if you were not guilty?

No one ever suffered like Jesus. He was guilty of nothing! His accusers lied against Him; those who tried Him listened only to what they wanted. Pilate was concerned only for himself and his governmental position. Yet, Jesus went to the Cross and died for sins He had never committed! You and I have committed sins; and it was for our sins that He suffered and died.

From their start, Christians throughout the ages have been accused of sins they have not committed. Jesus encountered accusations and suffering when He had done nothing wrong. Why should we not expect to suffer the same?

These verses above tell us Christ Jesus left us “an example… to follow in His steps.” We are certainly not to court suffering; but we should expect it. Jesus’ example was to refrain from uttering threats. He just kept trusting Himself to His Heavenly Father, knowing that He always judges fairly and righteously. That is a pattern we should follow, for when we do, we honor Him with our obedience.

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

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 2:13-17, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.
15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.”

Do you think you could count the times somone has asked or ordered you to do something? It starts in the home: “Pick up your clothes! Don’t leave your room in a mess! Come straight home and be here at 9:30 P.M.” Then there are teachers: “Stop talking back there and listen! There’s a test on Friday!” Employer: “I expect you to start work at 7:30 A.M. sharp! If you want a full day’s pay, you’ll have to do a full day’s work!”

What are you to do? If you want to stay out of trouble, if you want to pass the test, if you want to keep your job, you obey! Obedience to parents and teachers and bosses, however, is obedience to the LORD Himself. When you obey the “governers” (authorities) you are obeying the LORD. But why does the LORD require that? Those “authorities” are not always right. They make mistakes, too.

When we obey the LORD, we are free, and we “silence the ignorance of foolish men.” Think about it. It takes two to have an argument. And you could argue that the boss’s son is always late; but that is not a good argument. Just be quiet. The LORD is in control of the situation. Besides, your agreement is to obey the boss; his agreement is to pay you wages. It has nothing to do with the activity of the boss’s son.

“But I have a right to say what I think. I have freedom.” Thus far, the boss has said nothing about your lazyness at work. “Do not use your freedom as a covering for evil…” Use it as a servant of God.” Honor people like parents, teachers, and bosses. For when we deal rightly with and toward others, we honor the LORD, our God.

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