The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Romans 13:3-8, “For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;
4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Somewhere in the long, long ago, I recall a “saying” that was often on the lips of those who
were doing evil. It was, “Cheez it! The cops!” Although it undoubtedly originated with those
who were in the act of doing wrong and were fearful of being apprehended, it came to be a
by-word of lesser “criminals,” who were doing something they wanted kept in secret from
parents or guardians or teachers in school.

Whatever those who utilize that expression were intending, the expression simply varied according to the seriousness of the situation. The Apostle Paul used his words noted above
to emphasize the variations of sin in one’s life. “Rulers are not a cause of fear for good
behavior…” If one does what is good, he should never fear the judicial authority. In fact, the
human authority that thieves seek to avoid is, in reality, a “minister of God” to keep us all honest.

Paul then elaborates on authority by saying that we are not all completly honest; therefore, we have human “rulers” (police, judges, etc.) to keep us in line. They are why we pay taxes. Furthermore, we ought to simply “love one another.” When we love others, we need have no rear of the authorities coming down on us! The true “ruler” is the Holy Spirit, who lives within us; and when He lives within us, we truly belong to Christ’s Family!

I earnestly trust that you reside in Christ’s family! If you do, you need to share Him with those
who have yet to meet Him. If you do not reside in His family, you can become His by simply
and honestly confessing your sin to Him and asking Him to forgive you. And yes, it’s really that simple! You are in my daily prayers. Don’t hesitate to write me if you need spiritual help. I’m here for you.

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