The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Timothy 2:11-16, “It is a trustworthy statement: for if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us;
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle
about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed,
accurately handling the word of truth.
16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness…”

Following his first epistle to Timothy, Paul had intended to spend the winter at Nicopolis, but when he took a quick trip to Troas, he was arrested and hurried off to Rome. Everything happened so quickly that Paul had no time to gather his books and parchments, not even his cloak. Further, in this second imprisonment, in Rome, his accommodations were much different. This time he was kept in such close confinement that even his friend, Onesiphorus, had difficulty in finding him. In his first imprisonment, Paul had been permitted a large circle of friends; in this one, he was virtually alone. Paul expected to be called to appear before Nero in the winter; thus, he wrote to Timothy, requesting the books and cloak he had been forced to leave behind in Troas.

Despite his suffering, Paul was exemplarary in every way, (1:1-18). As a true servant of the LORD, and in the midst of imprisonment and suffering, he exhibited loyalty and truth to all others, especially to the LORD (2:1-26). Paul also withstood apostasy, remaining loyal to to the LORD at all times (3:1-4:5). Even when his friends failed to stand by him, Paul’s confidence in the LORD prevailed. “The LORD will rescue me from every evil deed…” (4:18).

Oh, dear LORD! Despite the circumstances we are called upon to bear, may we possess the confidence the Apostle Paul himself expressed when all is lost except 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