The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 15:9-14, “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My
Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy
may be made full.
12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
14 “You are My friends if you do what I command you.”

Some years ago there was a popular song that said —

What the world needs now is love sweet love,
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of;
What the world needs now is love sweet love,
No not just for some, but just for everyone.

Let me challenge you to re-read the six verses above and count the number of times the word “love” appears. Then, ask youself if the “love” in the song’s lyrics is the same “love,” as the “love” in the verses.

It’s difficult to know. You would have to ask the writer of the lyrics what he intended. At the same time, we are forced to admit that there is very little true love in the world in which we now live.

When the LORD says, “…abide in My love,” it is significantly different from what the world calls “love.” Perhaps the summation in the last verse (v. 14) shows the difference. Laying down one’s life for his friends is the supreme demonstration of love. Yet, Jesus did even more. Remember those raspy voices that cried “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”? Jesus died with love was for them, too.

You and I might well have been in that blood-thirsty crowd, crying “Crucify Him!” Yet, His
voice simply uttered, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.”

Yes, love that is true is sacrifical. It is also non-discriminitory. Jesus loves you. The onlly repayment you can give is to accept Him as LORD and Savior of your life. Have you done that? Why not do it right now? Just utter a simple, but sincere prayer, asking Him to
forgive your sins and make you one of His children. In 68 years of worldwide ministry, I’ve never seen Him fail to answer such a 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