The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 1:3-9, “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;
8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”

When we’re ready to express anything that is of value to us, we do it with excitement! That’s precisely what Peter was doing when he wrote the words in our
verses above:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

The remainder of that verse and the accompanying verses praise the LORD for His great mercy! It is a living hope which we obtain by being “born again.” This new, spiritual birth is ours when we accept by faith the LORD Jesus’ death and bodily resurrection as having been for us.

This new, spiritual birth brings with it an inheritance that we will possess forever. It does not perish; nor will it ever vanish from us. We are protected forever by the power of Christ in Whom we have believed. What we then possess is an imperishable inheritance that cannot be defiled. It is precious beyond belief and resides with us forever, producing within us the praise and glory that accrues forever to the honor of our LORD Jesus Christ.

His Word says that although we have yet to physically see Him, we can love and believe in Him, rejoicing “with joy inexpressible and full of glory!” Such is the outcome of the faith that saves our souls.

Have you believed in Him? Is He your LORD and Savior? Remember, it’s more than attending and/or belonging to any particular church. It’s more than being physically baptized in water. It’s repentance, trust, faith, love, obedience to the LORD Jesus Christ –the Christ we discover in the Holy Scriptures.

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