The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 John 1:6-10, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;
7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.”

Have you heard the old saying, “Talk is cheap; it’s actions that count”? The saying itself is not found in Scripture, but the Apostle John never-the-less gives the saying credibility by mentioning it.

The truth is: if we live in obedience to what we read in the verses above (to say nothing of the entirety of the Bible itself), our lives will bask in the warmth of the LORD’s love and radiance! Christ Jesus is the Light that keeps us from stumbling into the darkness of sin.

Walking in His Light also assures us of the fellowship of other believers. Their walk with Christ is an overwhelming encouragement! Confession of our sin unlocks the LORD’s forgiveness and enables us to regain fellowship with Him and with other believers as well.

Freedom from sin enables us to serve the LORD with gladness and to reach those who have yet to encounter His salvation and blessings. Hope in the LORD anchors our lives in God. Further, too, it enables us to effectively reach the lives of those who have yet to learn of Him. Do your friends know Him because of you? Have you worked in sharing Him with them? Becoming a true believer is the first part; sharing Him with others is the rest.

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

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 3:12-17, “Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,
15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.”

The word “reverence” that I have highlighted in verse 15 above is mentioned in 26 verses of the Bible. Twenty-two of the references are in the Old Testament; four are in the New. I have in my library a copy of Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of the English Language. He cites our English word reverence, as being from the Latin word reverentia, meaning “fear mingled with respect and esteem…”

Webster says, “We reverence superiors for their age, their authority and their virtues. We ought to reverence parents and upright judges and magistrates. We ought to reverence the Supreme Being, His Word and His ordinances.”

My grandparents were all committed to faith in our LORD Jesus Christ. My maternal grandfather was an ordained minister; and my parents were schooled well in reverence, both inside and outside the church building where we worshipped. We did not run in the building. We gave solemn attention to the pastor and his message whether we understood it all or not.

In my adult life, I have travelled extensively throughout the world, where I met some notable church and governmental authorities. Thankfully, I had learned how to be reverent. My parents had taught me well. I learned not to talk in church! I stood. I sang. I sat. I listened; and I learned! To have done less would have been disrespectful to the pastor and the guests and the LORD.

Why is there so much irreverence in churches today? Where is the quiet time of silent prayer and holy meditation? Are we truly there to reverence the LORD? We are living in what may well be the last days of human history! How do we want to be discovered when the LORD returns for us in the Rapture?

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

Dear Grands,

2 Timothy 4:1-4, “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Paul, the aged apostle, is coming to the end of his life and ministry. As with all persons, he is encouraging his companion, Timothy, and all those he loves, to “keep on keeping on” in the ministries of the Gospel to which the LORD Jesus has called them.

Do you remember the first time you read the Scripture that is quoted above? Paul said, “…the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…” Would you believe that that time has come? Men are now calling themselves “pastors,” without ever having been called of God! That leaves them “free” to proclaim whatever “gospel” they desire.

And people, who recognize that something is missing in their lives, gather to hear these “uncalled” men declare as truth things that deny the true Gospel of our LORD Jesus. What is more, the lifestyles of these false prophets are the very opposite of how the LORD tells us to believe and behave.

True men of God, now departed from this life and residing with the LORD, are suffering lies by charlatans who seek to destroy true Biblical teachings and ministries. Dear friends, don’t be deceived! Renounce everything that is not in accordance with Holy Scripture! Stay with the Word of God! Trust personally in the LORD Jesus Christ and in His sound, spiritual teachings! When catastrophe strikes your life, Jesus and His Word are your only hope!

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

Dear Grands,

1 Timothy 1:15-17, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.
16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Many people, maybe even most, would agree that “Christ Jesus came into the world wo save sinners.” The rub comes with the rest of the sentence that says, “among whom I am foremost…” It’s hard to admit that we fall into the category of “sinners,” much harder still to admit that we are among the foremost.

Many people have physical maladies that should be examined by a competent physician, but since they’re not excruciating, they are neglected, and the individual dies. The only difference between the physical and the spiritual is that the physical may not be life-threatening.

The Bible teaches that all of us have sinned, and are in need of salvation that Jesus alone can provide. Since eternity is lies beyond this life, it is imperative that we give attention to it while we are able. I am aware that every Grands Letter I write could be my last. Every one you read could be you last as well. Salvation is not determined by what church you attend, or by whether you live a life that is better than those around you. Your salvation depends upon whether you have trusted Jesus Christ to be your Savior. He alone died upon a cross and shed His blood for you!

“Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your heart” (Heb. 3:8, 15; 4:7)

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

Dear Grands,

2 Thessalonians 1:6-12, “For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,
8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed– for our testimony to you was believed.
11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power,
12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

It would be my guess that everyone reading this letter has, at one time or another (maybe often), been purposely afflicted by someone. I’m thinking that people have lied about you, worked what evil they could devise to embarrass and hurt you –just doing you wrong in some incredible way!

Paul’s inspired instructions are that you and I ought not to worry because the LORD and His host of heavenly angels will repay our adversaries –and the repayment itself will accrue to the glory of the LORD! Further, they “will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the LORD…”

Paul in no way is enticing us to retaliate against those who openly oppose us. The LORD Himself will support us by vindicating our witness of Him. The LORD’s Name is to be glorified in our speech and in our lifestyle. We are never to retaliate, as we belong to Him and our attitudes are always to bespeak His impeccable likeness and character. When we glorify the LORD Jesus in our lifestyles, He, in turn, works within us in grace and with power! He then wins even when it looks as if we are the victors. May His Name ever and always be praised!

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