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

Dear Grands,

II Timothy 2:21-26, “Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.
21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.
24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,
25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,
26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”

Immedidately preceeding these few verses the Apostle Paul said, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.” Paul then likens the church to “a large house” with furniture and utensils for various uses. Some in the church have uses that are different from others, while some things are virtually useless.

Some usless things –especially sins!– can be expunged from our lives. We will do better when we are better. Youthful lusts want to hang around. We should not allow them to reside within us in any manner. We should –and can—pursue all things that are righteous –things like faith, love, and peace.

Further, if we possess and maintain pure things, we will discover that the LORD will bless us along with those who fellowship and reside with us in the church! How are we able to teach others the Word of God if we have not learned how to live by it ourselves?

So re-read verses 24 and 25 above! Then ask the LORD to enable you to be and do what He wills for your life and work. The exigencies He wills for you will grow, perhaps even to your surprise; and without question to the surprise and amazement of others! What a great life we all have before us! LORD, help us to just believe it!

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,

II Timothy 2:15-19, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,
17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”

What do you think when people challenge the validity of your beliefs with respect to the Word of God? Needless to say, such is not a desirable experience. Most of the people I know want to be liked. Still, we cannot always avoid what others think of us or how they present themselves. We can, however, avoid responding in any manner that is unacceptable to the LORD.

It’s disappointing and often spiritually hurtful to see those we love in Christ depart from the truths of God’s infallible Word. We may sometimes differ with regard to the interpretation of various Biblical passages; yet, we are nevertheless responsible to love and pray for them, as they maintain their study of Scripture.

We can be certain that the “firm foundation of the LORD” will always stand. Our immediate priority, however, is to maintain a close fellowship with the LORD and His Word, and avoid sin, which brings disdain on His Name. Let us then pledge to pray for one another as we daily and eagerly look for His Coming!

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,

1 Peter 3:8-12, “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;
9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
10 For, “THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.
11 “HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.
12 “FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.”

Simon Peter is near to the end of his first letter. In these verses, he brings to a climax what he has earlier spelled out quite clearly. Peter wants from his readers what the LORD wants from all of His children: harmony and humility –things that exemplify the very character of God and provoke His blessing.

Peter is not one to cloud his meaning with high-sounding words. He tells it like it is! If we want to live a good life filled with love, and to experience good days, we must stop spreaking evil and doing deceitful things.

Simply turn away from things that are evil. Practice focusing on things that are good. That’s easy to do if we remember that everything we are and do is observed by the LORD. We cannot escape His Eye! His eyes and ears are consistently focused on His people. If we desire His blessing, we must meet His expectations. The purpose of His death and resurrection was to rescue us from sin and recreate us in His likeness.

Have you been rescued by Jesus’ love? Have you trusted Him as your LORD and Savior? Peter recommends Jesus; and incidentally, so do I.

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,

1 Corinthians 16:19-24, “The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 The greeting is in my own hand– Paul.
22 If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

I have a long-time friend, who has spent years on the mission field in a foreign country. She treats those to whom she ministers as if they were her own ethnicity. Her attitude toward them helps me to understand Paul’s relationship with the believers in Corinth.

Writing from Asia, Paul extends greetings from the churches there. He does not specifically identify those churches, but it is entirely possible that his reference is to those seven Asian churches identified in Revelation 1:4ff.

I have often witnessed believers from far away churches hug and kiss those whom they had not seen for a long time. Such expressions of greeting, however, were always reserved for those of the same sex. Paul’s reference, “Greet one another with a holy kiss,” is thoroughly spiritual in nature. The word “holy” designates the nature of the kiss.

Inasmuch as Paul calls attention to “anyone who does not love the LORD,” it well may be that there is someone within the Corinthian church, who is a non-believer. Any and all unbelievers will do well to heed Paul’s warning. Many churches –perhaps most—have members who are not true believers.

Some people go to church for “business” contacts. It’s serious business, going to church for reasons other than to worship the LORD! Paul speaks of those people as “being accursed.”

A pastor I once knew always introduced to the congregation those were seeking membership in the church. He paused on that Sunday morning to ask of what commercial business the man was affiliated. The man said, “…the package business.” Further investigation revealed that the true nature of the business was “package liquor.” His request for membership was understandably denied.

Let me ask you: are you a church member? More importantly, are you a born-again believer in Jesus Christ? Spiritually, it is impossible to be a true member of the church if you have not first trusted Jesus as your LORD and Savior. Even if you “slipped in” without the leadership’s notice, you have not escaped the notice of Jesus. Church membership is important, but knowing Christ is more important still. If you’re not sure, talk with the pastor or someone who can lead you to faith in Christ Jesus. Knowing Him is far and away more valuable than merely joining a church –any church.

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