The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 1:1-7, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen

2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 In this, you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ…”

This first letter was written by Simon Peter toward the end of his life in A.D. 60. At the time, he was living in Babylon, where a Christian church had been established. The letter had a two-fold purpose: first, many of the Christians had come to believe that Peter possessed a different view of the fundamentals of Christianity than Paul. Thus, the letter was intended to strengthen and encourage the Jews who, although converted, were at the time passing through some bitter trials and persecution.

There is a strong encouragement here for those who are rapidly reaching the terminal point of life. They should be demonstrating the love and power of the Gospel, enabling younger converts to become more like Jesus every day. Certainly, Jesus Himself is our Supreme Example; yet we are to exemplify Him to others by living more like Him every day.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

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