The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philippians 1:12-19, “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,
13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.
15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;
16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;
17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,
19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ…”

Did you ever have something seemingly tragic occur in your life? Of course, you have. Everyone has. What was your reaction? Be honest, now. No one will ever know unless you tell them! My guess is that you were “mad as hops!” (Don’t ask me how mad that is; it’s simply an expression that my grandmother sometimes used.)

Read those eight verses once again, slowly. Now, answer truthfully: Have you ever been angry over a situation that ultimately turned out much better than you would have believed? Such was the way with the Apostle Paul. Imprisoned? Yes. Guarded? Yes. Yet the message of the LORD Jesus Christ was shared continuously, and hardened guards, assigned to guard Paul, heard the Gospel and came to faith in the LORD Jesus Christ!

Think of how fearful you felt when you first shared Jesus Christ with someone! Yet, later you learned that they had shared Him with someone else! The result was not the same; still, simply bringing His Name before someone, led another to believe in Him and in His saving grace!

Whatever the circumstances; however difficult the situation might appear; it is the most meaningful truth you can ever share! Pray for the courage to share Christ! He will be with you, even in the darkest of hours.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom