The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 6:13b-18, “I speak as to children– open wide to us also.
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial (Satan), or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
17 “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.”

I take nothing away from the validity and seriousness of the Scriptures, but it struck me funny when I read Paul saying, “I speak as to children: open wide to us also.” How often my mother said those words when I was ill and needed her remedy.

Many of today’s churches are sick and need to “open wide” for the remedy the LORD has for her. Corinth was a wicked city and possessed a greater influence on the Church than the Church did on the city.

Sadly, it appears to be that way today. Many pastors simply lack depth in their knowledge of the Word they preach. Music is often geared to the emotions of the congregation than to the seriousness of genuine worship. Many look in vain for a quiet, solemn reverence toward God.

Paul’s argument is that the Church in Corinth was linked to the worldliness of the city instead of leading the city into a deep reverence for God. “Do not be bound together with the world!” Paul says. “Come out from their midst and be separate…”

Paul closes his plea by promising to be the father the congregation and its children need. Our prayers should focus on our pastors and leaders. In many churches, the congregations have swooned, and then slipped into the ways of the world –the world we are charged to bring to Jesus Christ.

Pray for your pastor; pray for the church. Don’t settle for a little blessing.
Open wide for the blessings our great LORD has for us all.

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