The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ezekiel 36:23-28,”When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD; yet they have come out of His land.’
21 “But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.
22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, ‘It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.
23 ‘I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.
24 ‘For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land.
25 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
27 “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
28 “You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God.’”

Almost every day, it seems, a new accusation of sin comes forth that purports to concern someone, who professes to represent the LORD. It is difficult to view one, who alleges to represent the LORD, be accused of ignominious activities that bring disgrace upon the LORD and the people who worship Him in sincere truth.

The LORD has always had concern for His Holy Name. Thus, those who profess Him as their Lord do harm when they live contrary to His Name. Too often, we are careless in our behavior.
Too often, we want to live like others instead of like Him. This allows us to have companionship with those whose lives wander away from the Divine Pattern He has set for us in His own life.

When I was in high school, some of us who played baseball had the habit of rubbing dirt on our uniforms before the game! It served the appearance of our “really being in the game!” Yet, it was deceptive –purposely deceptive! It said that we weren’t just warming the bench as alternate players.

How often such deceptions slip into our spiritual lives. They have the look of our being a true follower of Jesus Christ, when, actually, we are not. It may be the size of the Bible we carry. It may be how enthusiastically we sing. Yet, as someone once said, “It’s not how loud you shout, or how high you jump, it’s how you run when you hit the ground.”

It’s even more than that! One day we will all stand before the LORD Jesus Christ and give an account of our faithfulness –or the lack of it. If you’re into the Word, stay in the Word! If you’re not in the Word, get into It and absorb Its truths every day! Even in Israel today, there is serious interest in the New Testament!

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem;
May they prosper who love you”
(Psalm 122:6).

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