The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Galatians 1:17-24, “But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased
16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood,
17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.
18 Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days.
19 But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.
20 (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.)
21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
22 I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ;
23 but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.”
24 And they were glorifying God because of me.”

What would you do if someone were to ask you to share an important area of your life with them? I have no doubt whatsoever that you could do it. Whether you could cover as much territory as Paul in the eight verses above, I would have my doubts.

After his conversion, Paul went into Arabia, where he was alone with the LORD. Afterward, he returned to Damascus. After three years in Damascus, he went to Jerusalem to visit with Simon Peter, and stayed with him for 15 days. After his visit with Peter, he met briefly with James, the half-brother of the LORD Jesus.

As a recently-converted Christian, Paul visited churches in regions where he was unknown. That must have been an interesting experience, listening to people talk about you without their knowning you were hearing all they were saying. Ever have that happen to you? Paul was a new Christian; how else could he have learned what “church” was all about?

The crowning joy for Paul, however, was in knowing that they were “glorifying God” because of him! Is anyone you know glorifying the LORD because of you? Your husband? Your wife? Your parents? Your children? Your neighbors? Apart from knowing Jesus Christ, it is doubtful if there is anything greater anywhere than knowing that someone has come to know Christ because of you! Think about that, my friend!

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