The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 5:1-10, “Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,
2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”

I well remember a minister who once spoke of us fellow ministers when he said, “It’s amazing how many proud and haughty men claim to be followers of the lowly Nazarene.” That’s too often true, and not only of ministers. It’s true of men and women, who have gained popularity within and without the church or some special group within their community.

Simon Peter himself was once quite proud when he boasted that others might
forget the LORD Jesus, but he would never do so! Then he three times on the same occasion said, “I know not the Man.”

We may never pridefully express ourselves in just that way, but we deny Him when we act and talk like the unsaved crowd. Sometimes we deny Him by failing to
speak supportingly of Him. Just allowing ourselves to be in the midst of those who
act and speak in ways that deny Him is itself a denial.

Peter allows that we should resist the devil and those who embrace him. Further, he promises that the LORD Jesus “will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and
establish” us in the right way. May we who know Him embrace Peter’s instruction and live for the LORD in these dark and uncertain times. There will come a day
when we will rejoice that we have stood for Christ!

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