The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Thessalonians 3:10-16, “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.
11 For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.
12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread.
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.
14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame.
15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!”

Christianity is not a featherbed religion! In one of Paul’s most illustrious statements, he exalted “work” as a meaningful engagement for a believer’s life! He admonished believers in his Letter to the Hebrews, saying,

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so
as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12so that you
will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and
patience inherit the promises” (Heb. 6:11-12).

Oh, but Paul! It’s hard to undertake the ministry as you have described it! There are many who will not believe! There are scoffers, who ridicule and laugh at us for advocating the very principles that were set forth by the One who was crucified for introducing them.

Paul’s response held fast: Obey the instructions I’ve given! Don’t allow fatigue to invade your mortal body! Obey this directive! If others don’t obey, don’t let them eat! Don’t allow yourself to associate in any way with those who disobey the teaching! They will thereby be put to shame! At the same time, remember: they are not your enemies. They just need to be shamed into doing what has been ordered by the LORD 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

Dear Grands,

2 Thessalonians 3:6-9, “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us.
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you,
8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you;
9 not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.”

These words of the Apostle Paul may seem a bit harsh. But, if we are to influence others (intentionally or otherwise), there are some principles we must follow. Note first, that Paul is speaking on behalf of our LORD Jesus Christ. He initiates this area of his letter with a warning to stay away from unruly, undisciplined believers! Yes, believers! We are to follow the leadership of Christ Jesus and keep aloof from those who claim affiliation, but do not exemplify Jesus.

I remember clearly from my childhood a pastor of our church, who always managed to ask for “more” of whatever was being provided for others. I clearly recall –and that has been more than 70 years—hearing him ask a store owner the price of an item on the store’s shelf. When the owner quoted him the price, he responded, “How much would it cost the LORD?” The store owner looked the pastor squarely in the eye and said, “I didn’t know the LORD was buying it!” Yes, all of that could be called “fun”, but the pastor failed to notice that some of us kids were there and saw his pattern as one that should never be followed.

Some pastors, teachers, and missionaries could be conceivably be “first in line”; however, that is the LORD’s business as to how or where He places them. Paul emphasized that he himself labored for the food he ate. He steadfastly refused to lean on the work of others. Paul sought to exemplify Christ. That is precisely his teaching for us.

When we labor in preaching or teaching –whatever we do — we are to do it as unto Him. Christ is to receive the glory! He is always to be first. If He is, He will be glorified! And we will be happy that He is!

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 Thessalonians 3:1-5, “Finally, brethren, pray for us that the Word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;
2 and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.
5 May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.”
Forbes recently carried a piece entitled, “Is Society Moving In The Right Direction With Technology Rapidly Taking Over The World?” It’s an interesting question; one that simultaneously invites both a positive and negative response. A posted letter that might take two or three days, pales in the wake of an email that is virtually instantaneous in its delivery. The negative side of the question requires electronic devices on the receiving end, such devices that are sometimes unavailable or even unattainable.
The one avenue that is quicker than lightning and is always received is prayer. Paul knew nothing about email, but he certainly knew about prayer. He invites us, as well as the Thessalonians, to engage consistently in prayer. He desperately wants the Word of God to spread rapidly and be faithfully accepted!
Christians in Paul’s world were constantly under violent attack from evil men, just as Christians throughout the world are today. Paul is confident (and I trust we are also) that truly, born-again believers “will be rescued from persistently evil-producing men.” We who are believers in Christ need to hold weaker believers faithfully in prayer. The LORD is competent and will rescue His own. He is gracious to allow us the privilege of participating with Him in prayer.

Paul notes, too, that the LORD makes straight our hearts, turning them into love for others and causes us to live steadfastly in the way of Jesus Christ. One sure item for prayer is my long-time friend, Dr. Donald J. Ralston. Don has been a pastor and Bible teacher for many years. He still teaches a Tuesday noon Bible class of adults. I won’t go into the details of his physical needs, but will only ask that you pray for him and his dear, supportive wife. He is ever and always praying and witnessing of his Lord and Savior. Thank you earnestly for your prayers!

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 Thessalonians 2:13-17, “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,
17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.”

“How many times do I have to tell you?” Well, how many times have you heard it? Parents and teachers who truly care don’t measure the number of times they have instructed those under their authority. The point is to keep saying what they need to hear until it all sinks in!

Paul repeats his instruction again. He seems never to tire of the repetition of what we ought to do. Paul is willing to restate his instructions as often as necessary until we get it right. Why is that necessary? God has saved us and purified us that we might pray and instruct others in His Word and His Way.

We are always to obey the LORD! One reason for our obedience is because the LORD loves us. If He did not, He would not desire for us to follow Him. It’s like a parent who repeatedly disciplines a child. Another reason is that His way always leads us to do right. We are through repetition encouraged to become responsible and follow the LORD.

Paul closes this area of the Scripture with an earnest prayer that we might have eternal comfort and be strengthened in our hearts as we labor in good works. Are you investing your time and effort is doing the LORD’s will for your life? Are you drawing closer daily to Him? And is your life drawing others closer to 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,

2 Thessalonians 2:7-12, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.
8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;
9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,
10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.
11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false,
12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.”

I have always loved a good mystery. Even my dear wife, who knew, loved, and taught more Scripture than you would believe, loved a good mystery. Neither of us, however, were on the side of the “mystery of lawlessness” of which Paul speaks in these verses. This “mystery” commences with a teaching of corrupt doctrine. And when true doctrine is corrupted, the general behavior of mankind races toward evil with a passion!

Currently, Satan is working through those who embrace everything that is forbidden by Scripture. When man’s passion for lawlessness has run its course, Satan’s counterfeit messiah, the Antichrist, will be revealed with Satan’s “answer” to mankind’s problems.

Even now, some who profess to have believed upon Jesus, have turned away from Him,
returning to the very lifestyle they claimed to have resisted. Job said, “They are exalted a little while, then they are gone; Moreover, they are brought low and like everything gathered up; even like the heads of grain they are cut off” (Job 24:24).

Eventually, the Antichrist and his teachings will be obliterated by the power of Almighty God. Simultaneously, those who rejected God’s Truth and embraced the pleasures of wickedness will fall prey to God’s righteous judgment. Don’t risk being found among the wicked. The LORD’s judgment on sin will be severe! “God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34).

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