The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Romans 8:35-39, “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Do you remember the question that was popular some years ago? It asked, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” It usually got a laugh, until those that heard it stopped long enough for it to filter through their thoughts. Then, it became serious and they became sober.

There are a host of things that labor feverishly against us when we are believers in Christ Jesus. Yet, we are to love Him and live for Him regardless of the consequences. Tribulation and distress can often fall upon us circumstantially. Persecution is always intentional and comes from people, who either oppose what we believe or who generally dislike us for believing something they reject.

The lack of food or clothing may not be helped, but they can become objects that bring disdain upon us. “If God is what you say He is, why doesn’t He provide you the basic necessities of life?” Peril and sword may also be the results of hatred on the part of unbelievers. In such situations, what are we to do? How are we to react to such opposition?

The Apostle Paul speaks forth quite positively, saying that believers “overwhelmingly conquer” such opposition by trusting in Christ. In fact, he avows that absolutely nothing is “able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our LORD.” Faith and trust in Christ Jesus always trump the howl of the unbelieving crowd. Stay the course, Christian! Keep trusting in the LORD. Feed on His Word; bask in His everlasting love. He won your victory on the Cross! He can never be defeated; nor can you, when you lovingly trust in Him!

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,

Romans 3:19-24, “Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;
20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus…”

When Paul speaks of the Law, he means the Mosaic Law, including the Ten Commandments; and his emphasis is upon the Jews. They are the ones who were under the Law. At the same time, he emphasizes that Jews and Gentiles alike are “accountable to God,” and that no one is justified by the Law. The purpose of the Law is to give the awareness of sin.

If there were no law today regarding drinking alcohol while operating a motor vehicle, it could not be termed a criminal act. Those who are lawless and want to do what the law prohibits are the ones who want to erase those laws from the books. It is good, therefore, for law-abiding citizens to be aware of those who protest against laws that the protesters themselves dislike.

The writer assures us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” That being true, how are we to escape the Divine Judgment of Almighty God? It’s all covered in that last verse above: “…justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” When Jesus Christ died on the Cross, He was God’s Sacrifice for our sin. Thus, instead of us having to pay the penalty for sin, Jesus paid it for us. And when we confess our sins to Him, He forgives us.

Salvation is so very simple that many people stumble over the simplicity. Are you one of those? You need not be. Just confess your sins to Jesus and believe His Sacrifice to have been made for you. He will then forgive your sins and you will sense the weight of sin lifted from your heart and life. That’s the beginning of the Life the LORD wants you to possess. Don’t stumble! Just believe!

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,

Romans 2:1-8, “Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.
2 And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.
3 But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?
4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
6 who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS:
7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;
8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.”

Generally speaking, we live our lives in judgment of others. I like my neighbor because _____. I loathe my neighbor because______. It’s interesting how we can forgive ourselves for being judgmental, but we will not forgive our neighbor. What’s more, we live judgmentally while we simultaneously acknowledge that the LORD’s judgment falls upon everyone, including ourselves.

Vinegar is not productive. Neither is a “vinegareous” attitude. In fact, Paul warns us that a judgmental attitude stores up wrath against everyone who judges his neighbor! That probably leaves most of us living in jeopardy!

A close friend of mine tells of having spilled some very hot coffee in the lap of a visiting speaker. Instead of issuing a rebuke (which my friend truly expected), the speaker spoke kindly to him as if nothing-at-all had occurred. The loss of the coffee was not important. That the man had to speak, standing before his audience in soiled clothes, seemed insignificant, also. Perhaps that man remembered the verse that said the LORD “will render to each person according to his deeds” (v. 6).

Those last two verses are diametrically opposed with respect to how God will judge us. We would do well to ponder carefully what the LORD is intending to do. So often, we prioritize our focus on others’ judgments when we would do better to focus on the LORD’s judgments that pertain to us.

Incidentally, I live among some very gracious, Christian neighbors for whom I thank the LORD!

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,

Romans 1:26-32, “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural,
27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,
30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;
32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”

“Just go ahead; just go ahead and do it!” These are not words of true allowance. They are words of disciplinary allowance. They are the words of an exasperated parent, whose child has begged and begged to do something the wise parent had previously and numerously forbidden. From the parent’s point of view, what the child will learn by disobedience will now be the better teacher.

I understand quite well what I’ve just written in that previous paragraph. It’s a comment on a personal experience of many years ago. Thus, when I read what God’s Word says in the verses above, I understand that He knows what I will ultimately escape by obeying His voice.

Yet, those of whom Paul wrote had to learn everything the hard way. Reading Paul’s words above seem strangely similar to reading the daily newspaper or hearing a current newscast. We have abandoned everything that is “natural,” and substituted language and activities that suit and depict the raucous lifestyle of this generation. We know better; we simply do what we please, anyway. There is no thought about what it will cost.

I have decided not to elaborate on the meanings of the coarse thoughts, words, and attitudes depicted above. Rather, I will remind the reader of these lines that “God is not mocked; whatever one sows, he will ultimately reap” (Gal. 6:7). Yes, God is a loving God; and as a loving parent weeps over the necessity of punishing a wayward child, God also weeps as He punishes. Yet, to fail to “train up a child in the way he should go” (Prov. 22:6), is not the method of a loving and just parent. Nor is it the way of the LORD.

The neglect to meet out justice only encourages the proliferation of wickedness. And God, who is just will not forget. A nation that runs wild and evil without restraint, such as we have today, requires the justice of Almighty God! Even His patience has a limitation. Pray for our nation! Practice personal, godly living! We cannot do wrong and get by!

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,

Romans 1:21-25, “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.
25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”

Whom do you know, and how do you know them? In one sense, I can say that I know the governor of my state. I knew him before he was governor. We have met on more than one occasion, shook hands, engaged in short conversations. Thus, I know the governor of my state. But do I know him really? Have we engaged in the kind of conversations that reveal what each of us is to the other? No, we have not. So, do I really and truly “know” him? Pushed to the wall, I would have to say, “No.”

Those of whom the Apostle Paul speaks in our verses above “knew” the LORD about as much as I know the governor. The word “knew” (??????? ginosko) suggests “inception or progress” in knowledge (Vine). Had they truly known Him (oida), they would have honored Him and given Him thanks for His many indescribable gifts. Instead of honoring Him, they substituted images of pagan deities for His glory. I once observed a picture hanging on the wall of Christian home. I summarily suggested that the lady of the house remove it because it contained a “message” she did not understand.

Honoring anything that dishonors the LORD leads us away from Him, step-by-step. And it is those who “exchange the truth of God for a lie” that do not know Him. We who do know Him are responsible to share Him with others. Does not the Scripture say that Jesus is to be the object of our worship and praise? –the only object of our worship and praise!

If you have not committed your life to Christ Jesus, pray and trust Him today. We are all loving and trusting something or someone. Just shift your love to the One who in love gave Himself on the Cross for your sins. He is your start to a new and glorious Life!

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