The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Timothy 1:5-12, “…the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion,
7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers
10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,
11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service…”

It’s the responsibility of a lawyer to express himself to the Court with a pure heart and in a good conscience undergirded with sincere faith. The same responsibility befalls a preacher and a missionary, whether he privately addresses an individual or openly speaks to a congregation. The Apostle Paul was obviously the capture of such a mood.

It was such a mood that I sensed in an Israeli, who was sharing encouraging prayers on the streets of an Israeli city. Identifying himself as Jewish, he read aloud to Jewish people prayerful emails of the greatest encouragement. Each and every one (so far as I could determine) were from American and/or Australian Christians and spoke openly and enthusiastically of the LORD Jesus Christ. Remember: the man reading these emails aloud did not fail to mention that he was Jewish!

All of this shamed me that I do not appear more enthusiastic in my mention of Jesus Christ. It should shame us all that we are not more outspoken of our Savior! Oh, I do
share my faith quite openly, but perhaps not as enthusiastically as I should. I have
discovered that it is quite easy to speak of Christ. Many recipients of my testimony
listen approvingly, but shy away from getting too much “in the weeds” on the topic.

What is your manner of sharing Christ? It can start with a simple question, like “Are
you a Christian?” The response will open the correct way for your next question:
“When did you trust Him as your Savior?”

I have often thought, “Oh, if I could only speak their language!” But, that’s a cop-out! We do speak their language –unless it’s silence! You can tell how you came to faith in Christ, and ask whether or when they trusted Him. The Holy Spirit will surprise you with His “take-over.” What’s more, He will encourage you to share your faith more often and with others, as well. Do it; then let me hear from 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