The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ezekiel 2:3-10, “Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, I am sending you to the sons of Israel, to a rebellious people who have rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day.

4 ‘And I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children; and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’

5 “As for them, whether they listen or not—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

6 “And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house.

7 “But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious.

8 “Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you.”

9 Then I looked, and behold, a hand was extended to me; and lo, a scroll was in it.

10 When He spread it out before me, it was written on the front and back; and written on it were lamentations, mourning and woe.”

Ezekiel was sent to the Israelites, largely because they were a rebellious people. Do you believe you could identify someone who is rebellious against the LORD God? I’m sure you could, at least in most cases.

Today’s Christian News identifies multiple people who parade as believers, but whose lives identify them as rebellious against the LORD. Numbers of such people call themselves “Christians,” yet their lives differ considerably from what the LORD desires. He is not asleep with respect to their habits. He knows they are not following Him. Moreover, they are stubborn and obstinate and choose not to listen. It is for that very reason the LORD elected to send Ezekiel with His message: “Thus says the LORD God!”

Have we not challenged others to do things they’ve not previously done? Is that not why we sometimes take a younger believer with us when we share Christ with someone?

Have you ever witnessed to someone you sincerely believed the LORD wanted to accept Him, yet he stubbornly resisted the LORD’s message? Why would the LORD send you to such a person? Certainly, He knew the outcome of such an encounter.

Could it not be that the LORD wanted also to develop us as messengers? Remember the mechanic who said, “I’ve never worked on this particular area before, but I think I can do it.” Is that not “learning on the job”?

The LORD has a work for each of us to do. It becomes easier and more delightful when we see progress in the other person’s life. Still, we also learn in the process, making it easier with the next person to whom we witness.

To be sure, not every person to whom we witness will yield his heart and life to Christ. That often requires an increase in prayer on our part. There are those who resist Jesus and never come to personal salvation. Yet, it is our responsibility to see that they hear of Him. Think of someone you know—someone who does not know Christ. Pray for that person and be willing to share your faith. The LORD trains spiritual mechanics.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

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