The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 3:5-11, “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,
7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.
8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,
10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him–
11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.”

One of the most heart-breaking experiences for a pastor is to discover that a church he had pastored had strayed from the faith. We’re not sure who founded the church at Colosse. Possibly, it was Epaphras, who was later a fellow prisoner with Paul in Rome. In any event, any church that had been taught the Scriptures and was founded on faith in Jesus Christ and fallen away would have brought sorrow to Paul and his companions.

Paul commences this letter offering thanksgiving to the LORD for the Colossian Church (1:1-8). He then prayerfully interceds with the LORD on their behalf (1:9-14), followed by a citation of the supreme dignity, glory and preeminence of the LORD Jesus Himself (1:15-2:3). Then, in a frank and loving manner, Paul warns the Colossians against engaging in heresy (2:4-23). He extolls them to be in union with Christ (3:1-4:6).

The apostle then closes with a loving tribute to Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke and Demas –all of whom he loved and who labored faithfully as time permitted them. Christ is the only Redeemer! There is no other way for forgiveness from sin, than through Jesus Christ. He is the “all-in-all,” the only Redeemer and the only hope we have in this sin-shattered world. We must be faithful to His revealed Word, the Holy Scriptures, and trust Him to call us to Himself in His own appointed time. I do pray that you know Him and are ready and awaiting His Coming!

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