The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Timothy 1:3-12, “I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day,

4 longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.

5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.

6 For this reason, I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

8 Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,

9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,

10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

11 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.

12 For this reason, I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”

What is your foremost treasure? What do you treasure exceedingly more than anything else? Before you reply, let me note that beyond everything else, the Apostle Paul considered the LORD Jesus Christ first and foremost in his life. Christ was continually in his thoughts. He trusted nothing other than the One who had transformed his life from that of a persecutor of the Christian faith to its chief proclaimer.

What a formidable change would occur in our lives were we to put Christ foremost. Those things we fear would disappear. Christ would replace them with the glory of His promises. The things we embrace, trusting they will erase the fears and intimidations that move in upon us, will be erased from our thinking and replaced with Him by His warm, reassuring Word, the Holy Scriptures.

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

Dear Grands,

1 Timothy 3:1-10, “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.

2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.

4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity

5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),

6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.

7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,

9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.”

As a youth, did you ever receive a reprimand for doing something wrong? Did that reprimand come from someone who “manages his own household well” and keeps his own children under control? The Apostle Paul requires that those who are leaders within the church and who oversee others must themselves be above reproach.

As one who derives authority from the LORD, he must be above reproach in his marriage, in his home, and in his work, both secular and spiritual. He must be a man of faith and peace. It might well be said that a man must be a “Christian man’s man,” and a true and faithful man of confidence!

A man need not be a deacon in the church, but he must be a Christian man’s man! Such is honorable to the LORD and patterns the way for others in the faith.

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

Dear Grands,

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.”

My original intention was to “breeze through” the New Testament books, giving you something of an overview of the teaching of each book. The Scriptures then say that we are responsible to yield to the Holy Spirit’s leadership, receiving and learning what He wants us to learn from the Scriptures.

The Apostle Paul informs us in this second letter to the Thessalonians that “God has chosen” from the beginning to save those who believe and trust in Him. By listening to His Word, we receive notice of the LORD’s intention for our lives. We then are responsible “to stand firm” and retain what we are taught in the Scriptures. The Bible is then our textbook. When true Christian pastors and teachers instruct us, they do so from the Bible. If any teacher moves away from Scripture in his instruction, he is a false teacher, and we are to avoid listening to and/or absorbing his teachings.

Laying claim to the LORD Jesus as our Savior and LORD, however, is clearly the teaching of the Scripture. Church membership and baptism are not saving qualities. They are valid, however, but subsequent to salvation. Following the teachings of the Scripture gives us the comfort and hope that strengthens us daily.

Spending time daily in prayer energizes our spiritual lives. The LORD hears and answers the prayers of His people. Whatever He tells you to do, do it in the confidence you have in Him.

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