The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Romans 10:8-11, “But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’– that is, the word of faith which
we are preaching,
9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be
saved;
10 for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
11 For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.’”

As simply as the Word of God’s salvation is, there are still many who do not understand it. That really shouldn’t be a surprise to us because there are many things in this world that fall outside the understanding of us all. At the same time, the Bible is sufficiently clear that the LORD Himself cannot be accountable for those who resist His offer of salvation. Paul says, “The Word is near you…” It is close at hand. It is God’s Word of faith, and it is “in (the) mouth and in (the) heart” of all mankind.

If that is true –and it is!—why are all people not saved? Why are not all people guaranteed an eternal home in Heaven? Let’s suppose that you and I have been invited to the Governor’s Mansion to meet the Governor and members of his cabinet. How would you dress for such an occasion? Would you wear cut-off jeans? Would you wear a dirty shirt and maybe go bear-footed?
Of course not! You would want to look your very best. Furthermore, to arrive at the door of the Governor’s Mansion improperly dressed would surely prompt a denial of entrance. But what if the Governor provided for you the proper clothing? You could then be allowed entrance, but only if you exchanged your old clothes for the ones he provided.

Paul says that the mouth and the heart must comport with the LORD’s requirements for entry into Heaven. With the mouth, man must openly confess Jesus as his LORD! And with the heart, man must believe that God the Father raised His Son Jesus from the dead. The heart believes in Jesus’ resurrection; the mouth openly confesses Jesus’ resurrection. God declares the one doing these two things belongs to Him. Entry into His presence is assured. If you have yet to do this, do it right now! Jesus
will change your life and become your LORD and Savior. Then, share with others what He had done for you that they might be saved as well. I am praying for you as I write. Then, let others know that you have followed His instructions and now belong to Him. God bless you abundantly!

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 5:6-10, “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled,
we shall be saved by His life.”

Helplessness is a strange and serious feeling. When Patrick Mahomes was sacked in the last game of the regular season, it was evident that he was hurt. His eyes were glazed, as if he were totally unaware of where he was or of what had occurred. He was visibly helpless. Being young and healthy, however, is no guarantee against injury; nor is it a substitute for the need of physical assistance from others.

I have often been in the need of help. I have more than once been totally lost when driving to meet a responsibility. There were no electronic devices to guide me. I was racing against time without the slightest knowledge of whether I was on the right road or even going the right direction. I get a sinking feeling even mentally reliving those times, although they occurred many years ago.

Jesus’ death on the cross occurred precisely at the right time. It was pre-ordained by the Father that His Son should die on a cross for the sins of the world –for our sins. It was the most loving demonstration in all of human history! Just ask yourself, “For whom would I die?” For my children? for my parents? for my husband? my wife? What about the guy who raped your wife or daughter? What about those hoodlems who set fire to your house, intending to burn to death all those inside? Would you die for them? Jesus did. He died for the very scum of the earth. He died for those that mocked Him and clamored for His death. He gave His Life’s blood to save those that you and I would say were honestly deserving of death themselves.

Subsequently, Christ arose from the dead, proving the incalculable value of His love and power! His death said to His Father, “I know the depths of their sin; I know how they ridicule and lie against Me. But, they are Your creation, Father. They need help. How else can they be saved?” You and I have more than glazed eyes, more than a slight concusion. We were thoroughly diseased with sin –so seriously diseased that only the blood of Jesus Christ could rescue us from eternal death. What of value do we possess that can even attempt to repay Him? Only the gift of our lives can attempt repayment. Have you given Christ your life? Pray to Him today! Confess your sins and ask His forgiveness. His salvation is assurred by His Resurrection. There is no other way.

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 5:1-5, “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ,
2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we
exult in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the
Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Our world is in a mess! And it’s all because people do not have peace with God. When Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, sin came into Adam’s life and into the lives of all of his posterity. It’s much like our DNA that we inherit physically from our parents. We needed help, and the LORD God Almighty sent His Son Jesus to save us from our sin and from sin’s ultimate consequences. When by faith we trust and accept Jesus as our LORD and Savior, He spiritually cleanses us of all of our unrighteousness. We then have peace with God, and live with Him in grace.

Faith is the key to God’s grace, His blessing and favor. We then possess the joy of a spiritual relationship with Christ. But what about tribulation –afflictions, persecutions? Won’t those without Christ be positioned against us and cause us trouble? They will; however, the trouble they bring us will only produce in us patience and steadfastness, as we discover that life in Christ is infinitely greater than life without Him. But, there’s still more.

When we belong to the LORD, He enables us to face opposition. And opposition develops our character. It’s like exercise in that the “hurts” are actually building muscle. So, when character is attacked, it builds hope in the Christian. Spiritual Hope is future certainty! It’s far more than the way we generally think of it. “Oh, I hope so,” is replaced with “I have a certainty of my future.” And that future will never become a disappointment, because when you yield your life to God, His love fills your heart and life with Himself! His Holy Spirit comes to live forever within you; and He stabilizes your life against all things that want and work toward your defeat. What a fantastic life Christ produces within us! He will become your Savior today. Just ask Him into your life.

Heartily in Christ,

(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 4:1-5, “What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God.
3 For what does the Scripture say? ‘And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.’
4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due.
5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.”

Has it ever occurred to you that if salvation were accomplished by works, some would never ever be able to be saved? I’m always touched emotionally when I see the television ads from children’s hospitals. Yes, it’s encouraging to know that there are those who truly care about crippled children. But some of them will never be completely cured of their maladies. How then could they be spiritually saved, if salvation were dependent upon some kind of physical works?

The LORD God has fixed all of that by providing salvation by faith instead of by works. Paul speaks of Abraham in our verses above. “Abraham believed God.” Later, in this same Letter to the Romans, Paul wrote, “So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ” (10:17). All of that simply assures us that salvation is not a matter of who we are or what we physically do; it depends solely upon whether we believe in Jesus Christ and are trusting Him as our LORD and Savior. That takes in everybody!

None of what Paul says regardiing faith is intended to discourage us from living rightously. Attending church, reading the
Scriptures, praying, paying tithes –doing all kinds of good works is commendable. Still, those works are the products of
salvation, not the means to it. Don’t get the cart before the horse. We were all physically born in sin; that’s why Jesus said, “You
must be born again!” –this time, spiritually! And it comes by believing that His death on the cross and His resurrection prove He
is able and willing to save us. Repentance is telling Him that we are sorry for our sin. Faith is trusting Him to be faithful to His promise to save us when we repent and believe. Have you done that? Have you confessed your sins and asked the LORD to forgive you? Pray and trust Him and see what He will do for your life! I am praying for you.

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,

Proverbs 4:11-15, “I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble.
13 Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not proceed in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on.”

If your inbox is assaulted like mine, you are aware that there are numerous persons, who look upon you for what they believe they can extract from you without exposure. Numerous items of electronic and other interest are paraded by way of your inbox, purportedly for free –until you are most graciously invited to give them your Credit Card information. At that point, I hear Paul’s
nephew’s youthful words to the Roman Commander, “Do not listen to them!” (Acts 23:21).

In the same way, for various ways of wickedness, we are skillfully directed away from the goodness of the LORD into the paths that led to death and destruction. Even a recent Executive Order has opened restrooms previously reserved for but one party of human nature now to anyone who “feels” himself or herself to be at that moment of the opposite sex. State and Federal legislatures put forth proposals that would only increase the wickedness already deeply embedded in human nature. Again, Paul’s youthful nephew cries, “Do not listen to them!”

The Sacred Scriptures the LORD has given us promise wisdom, if we will but heed them. Take hold of the discipline by which we are instructed. “Guard her,” the Word says, “for she is your life.” Intentionally avoid the path of the wicked that leads to sin and death! Stay far away from “the way of evil men.” Only the foolish give their financial information to unknown sources. Only the foolish neglect the wisdom of Holy Scripture! Hopefully, we know which is more valuable. Keep in mind the wisdom of a young lad, who said to a military commander, “Do not listen to them,” for only the Word of the LORD directs us into right paths.

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