The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Romans 12:5-14, “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us
is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;
7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;
8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence;
he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,
13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

The word “hope” appears only 157 times in the Bible. The word “faith” appears 428 times; but the word “love” appears throughout the Scriptures some 850 or more times! The Greek language contains three or four words that translate as “love”; yet only two New Testament words are
primary: agape and philos, Agape is the primary of the two. We might like (philos) the music that shows worship of the LORD Jesus; but we will surely love (agape) Him even more for who He is:
the Son of the Living God!

Read slowly through the numbered verses above once again and note the contrasts. You might better understand the closeness of the two words in a sentence like this: “I love (agape) my wife and I love (philos) the way she cooks when we entertain company.”

We are taught in Scripture to love the LORD personally and fervently! That’s agape! We might also love the music of the organ as a prelude to the worship service. That’s philos!

Think of these two word meanings when you next use the word “love.” My guess is that you will think
more carefully about how what you “love” and what you only “like.”

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