The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

II Timothy 4:1-5, “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.”

Formal situations usually require a solemn and somewhat formal pronouncement. This being the last, possible charge the Apostle would give to Timothy, his adopted son in the ministry, he earnestly speaks from his heart. “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus…preach the Word.”

Standing firmly on the Word of God, however, almost always brings conflict. What is Timothy to do with respect to conflict? How is he to respond? He is to face all opposition with the steadfast proclamation of the Word of God. He is to reprove (expose, convict), rebuke (censure), and exhort (encourage), all the while with excessive patience and careful instruction. But why?

Because the time will come when hearers will not patiently accept the LORD’s instruction. They want to hear as acceptable the things they want to do. What’s more, as they exchange the Truth of God for a lie, they will procure teachers who will teach them what they want to hear rather than what the LORD requires. Therefore, the LORD’s teachers will have to be strong in the faith!

My friends, it’s the same today. Television is replete with “teachers,” who have abandoned the Word of God and replaced it with a “feel-good” gospel, which is not the Gospel at all.

Furthermore, there is coming a Day when the torrential wave of destruction will sweep down upon mankind, leaving the world without a scintilla of hope. Just don’t give up! Keep sober in your thinking! Don’t run from hardship. Keep telling the loving Story of Jesus. All of this equals the fulfillment of ministry. Just don’t leave anyone out!

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