The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 15:5-9, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.
7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
9 “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.”

The word “disciple” is mentioned more than 270 times in the Bible. It is mentioned only twice in the Old Testament (Isa. 8:16 & 50:4). According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary, “a disciple of Christ is one who (1) believes His doctrine, (2) rests on His sacrifice, (3) imbibes His Spirit, and (4) imitates His example (Mt 10:24 Lu 14:26,27,33 Joh 6:69).”

What is of vital importance, however, is not how many times the word is mentioned in the Bible as it is how much of what “disciple” means is implanted
and operative in our daily lives. For example, how sincerely do you and I believe
the teachings we receive from the Scriptures? Belief is not just a convenient word;
it is something that is buried deeply within our hearts and souls, and operates to
the glory of the LORD!

How much do we “rest on His sacrifice”? Too often, when things “go wrong,” we
act as if we should be exempt. Yet, we are to rest on Christ’s sacrifice! Oh, how many throughout the ages have suffered and died excruciating deaths for His cause! It is then that we should (as it were) take a deep breath, as of His Spirit, recognizing that to follow Him means to walk in His steps, irrespective of how hurtful it might be.

We are also to imitate His example in life. Such is not to mimic, but to learn to walk and speak as Jesus did. When difficulties assault us, we are to rely upon His
Holy Spirit to see us through them. Whatever questions assault us, we are to reply in a manner like unto Jesus. You may say, “Well, all of that sounds good, but I’m
not sharp like Jesus. I don’t think that quickly. You don’t need to be quick; you just
need to trust Him to say through you what is necessary at the moment.

Yes, we have to “put ourselves out there.” No one said it would be easy; yet the
more often we encounter such situations, the more often we will trust Him to be
with us. And when you are amazed at the answer He gives you, don’t forget that
it was He who spoke through you and was not of yourself alone.

Dear LORD, teach me to abide in your love!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,
Gene
(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