The Grands Letter (1 Pet/GLJ)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D. on August 8, 2025 5:23 am (CST)Dear Grands,
1 Peter 3:8-12, “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;
9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
10 For, “THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.
11 “HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.
12 “FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.”
If ever there were words in Scripture to which I needed to adhere, it is these above! And all the way from Heaven, I can hear my dear mother shout: “THAT’S THE TRUTH! IT’S ABOUT TIME!”
You see, I have never been one to withhold my opinion on almost any subject. Yet, to be fair to myself, the score was always fairly even, at least if you allow me to omit the “humble in spirit” part. At my current age, I am understanding the futility of “returning evil for evil” and “insult for insult.” I am currently endeavoring to apply to my life those aspects listed in verses 10-12. Seriously, I would appreciate your prayers.
Do you admit to what I have admitted? Or are you always “harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit”? It’s an honest question. I’m not seeking to indict anyone for possessing the conduct I possessed for many years; rather, I’m admitting my wrong to demonstrate that you can admit yours.
Look, the very best of our LORD’s created humanity engages in wrongful deeds and attitudes. We shouldn’t, but we do. His prescription for us all is that we may “love and see good days… keep (our) tongues from evil and (our) lips from speaking deceit.” I’m genuinely going to try. It will be encouraging to me if you will consent to try, too. How about it? We may not have that many days left before the LORD comes! What do you say? Let’s give it the good old college try!
Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,
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
