The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 1:5-9, “For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.
6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;
7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.
8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;
9 indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead…”

Were you ever so scared that you despaired of life itself? There are millions of people in our world today who would rather die than suffer the pain and agony they experience day-by-day.

The history of Christianity is literally bathed in the blood of believers. If you have yet to read John Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, you have missed the plethora of danger and death that has plagued those who have dared to trust and follow the LORD Jesus Christ throughout history. The instances of pain and suffering cited in that book are often “bone chilling.”

It is more than probable that the Apostle Paul and his companions witnessed far more than is revealed in his biblical accounts. Why, then, would he suffer? Why not tread a bit easier on the denunciation of sin in the lives of those who are without Christ? Simply stated, that is not the Christian way. Christ Jesus suffered far more intensely than any in His day or in ours.

Remember that Paul said, “…we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead…” There was no one upon whom they could depend to help; they just “relaxed” in the truth that were they to die, believing that the LORD Himself could raise them up –even from the dead!

It is not easy to live a truly Christian life. Yet, the LORD knows those who are His, and He will comfort and strengthen us in every situation as we stand faithfully with and for Him. Remember Peter’s words, too:

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

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