The Grands Letter (Gal/GLJ)

Dear Grands,

Galatians 5:19-26, “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”

Undoubtedly, you’ve heard the expression: “It takes one to know one.” In these verses, we have a snapshot of the past and present of the Apostle Paul’s life. In verses 19-21, Paul gives us a glimpse of what he was before he came to faith in Christ. In verses 22-26, he gives us a second glimpse of what he is at the time of this writing. Don’t think, however, that he is glorying in his past life. He’s simply drawing the comparison between what he once was and what he now is by the grace of Almighty God!

Yet, beyond Paul’s comparative analysis of his past with his present life, he is challenging those who are still in the former stage to quickly abandon it and adopt the spiritual stage of Christ-likeness.

There are those who will say, “It’s too late for me! I’ve been riveted too long in sin.” But Paul argues against that when he stands as an exhibition of a former sinful life. “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all” (1 Timothy 1:15). Failure to personally accept Jesus Christ as one’s Savior is itself a failure to make Heaven. It is my earnest prayer that you will renounce your sin and accept Jesus Christ as LORD!

Heartily in Christ,

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