The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Timothy 2:7-13, “Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel,
9 for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the Word of God is not
imprisoned.
10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may
obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.
11 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.”

Have you ever tried to understand something that simply defied your efforts? Already, I can hear you say, “How many times? Multiple times! Why can’t I figure it out?” My dear, sweet old grandmother used to say, “They just haven’t reckoned with the LORD.” She was right. Paul himself said, “The LORD will give you understanding in everything…The Word of God is not imprisoned!”

Paul understood that the Word of God was always free! The LORD’s messengers could be imprisoned; but no one could imprison the Word itself! Think of that the next time you share the LORD Jesus Christ with someone. In some countries, those who dare to share Him with others encounter horendous persecution…some, even death. Yet, the words that believers shared could not be locked away from the minds of those who heard it.

Then Paul lays it all out so that none of us can miss his point. Hear it again:

“…if we died with Him (if we are saved through His death on the Cross),
we will also live with Him (own Him on Earth as well as in Heaven);
If we endure (put up with opposition that comes from sharing Him with
others), we will also reign with Him (one day in Heaven itself);
If we deny Him, (we are not saved; thus, He also will deny us: “I never
knew you”); if we are faithless, still, He will remain faithful, for He
cannot deny Himself (He does always the will of His Father).”

Where are you in all of this? Do you know Him as LORD and Savior of your life?
You can, you know. It’s as simple as drinking water from a fountain. You’re
thirsty… the water is available… you drink from the fountain because you believe
in its refreshing qualities. Repent of your sin; trust Jesus. He is worthy of your trust
and wants you to be on His side. Then share Him with others! He will take it from
there.

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,

Jude 1:3-4, “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.
4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Were you ever deeply involved in something when, all of a sudden, something else occurred that took your mind completely away from what you were doing and refocused it on something else? It happens to all of us. What’s more, it need not be a simple change of thought; it can well be a disaster that jolts the mind, effectively erasing those original thoughts that were intended.

That’s exactly what happened to Jude. He intention was to write concerning salvation, deepening their trust, no doubt. But, as Jude wrote, the Holy Spirit altered his intention, turning it toward those who had to this time been largely unnoticed. So clever were these false leaders that their forthright intentions had escaped the notice of the congregations. The situation was largely like that addressed by Peter.

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also
be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive
heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift
destruction upon themselves” (2 Pet. 2:1).

Unless churches today are structured so that false teachers, who may reside within it, can be more easily known, the ministry from the pulpits may be being countermanded by others within the church. In one church I knew the Minister of Education and a another teacher taught the structured Bible lesson to the teachers prior to Sunday. That kept everyone on the “same page” and avoided contradicting the theology of the pastor.

How vital it is that we get it right! Souls are at stake, as are we, with all respect to heavenly rewards for “accurately handling the Word of Truth” (2 Tim. 2:15c).

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 3:10-16, “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.
11 For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.
12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread.
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.
14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame.
15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!”

Christianity is not a featherbed religion! In one of Paul’s most illustrious statements, he exalted “work” as a meaningful engagement for a believer’s life! He admonished believers in his Letter to the Hebrews, saying,

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so
as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12so that you
will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and
patience inherit the promises” (Heb. 6:11-12).

Oh, but Paul! It’s hard to undertake the ministry as you have described it! There are many who will not believe! There are scoffers, who ridicule and laugh at us for advocating the very principles that were set forth by the One who was crucified for introducing them.

Paul’s response held fast: Obey the instructions I’ve given! Don’t allow fatigue to invade your mortal body! Obey this directive! If others don’t obey, don’t let them eat! Don’t allow yourself to associate in any way with those who disobey the teaching! They will thereby be put to shame! At the same time, remember: they are not your enemies. They just need to be shamed into doing what has been ordered by the LORD God!

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 3:6-9, “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us.
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you,
8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you;
9 not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.”

These words of the Apostle Paul may seem a bit harsh. But, if we are to influence others (intentionally or otherwise), there are some principles we must follow. Note first, that Paul is speaking on behalf of our LORD Jesus Christ. He initiates this area of his letter with a warning to stay away from unruly, undisciplined believers! Yes, believers! We are to follow the leadership of Christ Jesus and keep aloof from those who claim affiliation, but do not exemplify Jesus.

I remember clearly from my childhood a pastor of our church, who always managed to ask for “more” of whatever was being provided for others. I clearly recall –and that has been more than 70 years—hearing him ask a store owner the price of an item on the store’s shelf. When the owner quoted him the price, he responded, “How much would it cost the LORD?” The store owner looked the pastor squarely in the eye and said, “I didn’t know the LORD was buying it!” Yes, all of that could be called “fun”, but the pastor failed to notice that some of us kids were there and saw his pattern as one that should never be followed.

Some pastors, teachers, and missionaries could be conceivably be “first in line”; however, that is the LORD’s business as to how or where He places them. Paul emphasized that he himself labored for the food he ate. He steadfastly refused to lean on the work of others. Paul sought to exemplify Christ. That is precisely his teaching for us.

When we labor in preaching or teaching –whatever we do — we are to do it as unto Him. Christ is to receive the glory! He is always to be first. If He is, He will be glorified! And we will be happy that He is!

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 3:1-5, “Finally, brethren, pray for us that the Word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;
2 and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.
5 May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.”
Forbes recently carried a piece entitled, “Is Society Moving In The Right Direction With Technology Rapidly Taking Over The World?” It’s an interesting question; one that simultaneously invites both a positive and negative response. A posted letter that might take two or three days, pales in the wake of an email that is virtually instantaneous in its delivery. The negative side of the question requires electronic devices on the receiving end, such devices that are sometimes unavailable or even unattainable.
The one avenue that is quicker than lightning and is always received is prayer. Paul knew nothing about email, but he certainly knew about prayer. He invites us, as well as the Thessalonians, to engage consistently in prayer. He desperately wants the Word of God to spread rapidly and be faithfully accepted!
Christians in Paul’s world were constantly under violent attack from evil men, just as Christians throughout the world are today. Paul is confident (and I trust we are also) that truly, born-again believers “will be rescued from persistently evil-producing men.” We who are believers in Christ need to hold weaker believers faithfully in prayer. The LORD is competent and will rescue His own. He is gracious to allow us the privilege of participating with Him in prayer.

Paul notes, too, that the LORD makes straight our hearts, turning them into love for others and causes us to live steadfastly in the way of Jesus Christ. One sure item for prayer is my long-time friend, Dr. Donald J. Ralston. Don has been a pastor and Bible teacher for many years. He still teaches a Tuesday noon Bible class of adults. I won’t go into the details of his physical needs, but will only ask that you pray for him and his dear, supportive wife. He is ever and always praying and witnessing of his Lord and Savior. Thank you earnestly for your prayers!

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