The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 1:2b-7, “May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ…”

One does not have to live long to understand that good and bad often go together. From the “grace and peace” that Peter mentions in the commencement of our verses above, through the “imperishable and undefiled” inheritance, all is well. Inheritance is reserved in heaven for the ones who have trusted Jesus Christ as their LORD and Savior.

The interjection of the word “protected” in verse 5, however, suggests that sinister forces (either human or demonic) are involved in attacking that inheritance. The “power of God,” however, is protecting the inheritance, just as we are trusting its safety through faith in the LORD Jesus. Thus, what might have caused us to fear loss is now forever safe because of Christ.

Gold is but a mineral; and though precious in value, it is of far less value than faith in Christ. For only saving faith will “result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” So, put faith first in the order of your calculations. True faith can never be destroyed. It is the key to our salvation in Jesus Christ. “”Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31).

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